Ligue 1 outfit OCG Nice sprung to the defence of new signing Mario Balotelli after criticising the player in recent weeks on social media website, Twitter.
Responding to a question of what he thought of the Italian striker, Carragher said: “I wish him well in getting the Ballon D’Or at Nice.”
The club’s social media department replied, saying: “Hey, you look like a big SuperMario fan. You can order his jersey on our store,” and added a link to Nice’s online store.
Hey, @Carra23, you look like a big SuperMario fan. You can order his jersey on our store ➡ https://t.co/rHrm09UL6b
Forza @FinallyMario 🔴⚫ !
— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) September 7, 2016
Balotelli, 24, joined Liverpool in 2014 for 16m but struggled to find goalscoring form, and was subsequently loaned out to Italy, before the Merseyside club were forced to sell the striker to Nice on a free transfer, despite having time left on his contract.
After news broke that Liverpool had reached an agreement with Nice, Carragher tweeted: “Balotelli on a free is still paying over the odds by Nice.”
Three days later, Balotelli responded to the Liverpool legend’s criticism, tweeting: Jamie Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater, who cares. The response accompanied a trophy with a photo of the Italian on it, with the title ‘best hater’ below.
Balotelli on a free is still paying over the odds by Nice.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 31, 2016
Jamie Carragher, bad player, wonderful hater @Carra23 ,who cares. pic.twitter.com/onbY0WUgOc
— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) September 3, 2016
Carragher made 737 appearances for Liverpool across 17 years, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005, along with two FA Cup triumphs. The 38-year-old won Liverpool’s player of the season award three times, in 1995, 2003 and 2007.
Balotelli’s Nice currently sit third on the Ligue 1 standings, and play host to 11th placed Marseille this Sunday at Allianz Riviera.
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