07 September 2023 , 20:49
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Micah Richards has relived the moment he accidentally called Vincenzo Montella a "f***ing d***head" - after a prank from former Manchester City teammate Mario Balotelli.
Richards played with Balotelli at the Etihad Stadium for two-and-a-half years and both were part of Roberto Mancini's side that lifted the Premier League title in 2012. During his successful 14-year stint at City, Richards made 245 appearances and won two major honours.
But after falling out of favour under Manuel Pellegrini, Richards was loaned out to Fiorentina in 2014 - and he sought the advice of Balotelli upon his arrival. That decision backfired, meanwhile, as Richards explained how he swore at then-Fiorentina boss Montella - which almost got the full-back in hot water.
Speaking on the latest episode of the The Rest is Football podcast - which he co-hosts with Match of the Day colleagues Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer - Richards said: "I went to Fiorentina on the last day of the transfer window and obviously I don't speak Italian - I've got 'Si' - yes, basically.
"Like the absolute idiot that I am, I spoke to Balotelli to say 'What should I say when I'm greeting someone?'" A disappointed Lineker sighed: "You asked Balotelli?"
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Richards explained: "Because he's normally good" And then I go and meet the manager, [Vincenzo] Montella. I go up to him, shake his hand, and say 'testa di cazzo'."
"Oh you fool," Shearer interrupted, before Richards added: "And I think it means 'you f***ing d***head'."
Micah Richards has been speaking about an infamous incident with Mario Balotelli (The Rest Is Football)
Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards at Manchester City (Getty Images)He continued: "Honest to God. And that's the first time I've told this story because I'm thinking 'Should I tell it? Will people believe me?' I've gone up to the manager and called him a f***ing d***head, what an idiot.
"You know what, why didn't I just check? You can just Google it. But for some reason, I just believed Balotelli. He set me up, he got me a kipper. And to be fair to Montella he just started laughing."
Richards made 19 appearances during his season-long loan at Fiorentina, before he decided to join Aston Villa at the end of his contract at City. Richards was a regular in the side that took Villa down to the Championship, and despite being linked with a move away in summer 2016, he stayed put.
However, Richards made just two Championship appearances after struggling with injuries and fitness. He departed the club in 2019 and announced his retirement from professional football that summer at the end of 31.