Ex-Manchester Striker Pops In Blue CLs

“Mario Balotelli showed he's still got eyes for the Blues despite leaving the Etihad Stadium nearly a year ago,” according to the Manchester Evening News. “The Italian striker, who left City for Milan in January, tweeted a series of pictures of himself sporting blue contact lenses. With the caption 'what do you think? Ahahah', the star's 1.6m followers were treated to four pictures of the 23-year-old with bright blue eyes.” Read more.

Balotelli's Lasik Surgery a Success

Fox Soccer reports that "Italy and Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli has undergone successful Lasik eye surgery. The Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Balotelli had the procedure Monday, a day earlier than scheduled, to avoid having photographers and reporters waiting for him outside the laser surgery clinic in his hometown of Brescia." Read more.

Man United's De Gea Says His Eyes Are Fine

"De Gea, 21, who faced intense criticism after a string of early mistakes at United, came back strongly in the second half the season to firmly establish himself as the club's long-term No. 1," reports ESPN Soccernet.

"Other reports focused on an eye operation that the club had told the 'keeper to undergo. Again, De Gea explains: 'I'm just short-sighted, like loads of people. I wear contact lenses - in fact, I've got new ones - and I can see perfectly well, just like anyone. I don't understand the fuss. I put lenses in and ... perfecto.'

"Now at the Olympics as first-choice for the Spanish squad, De Gea believes that he is over the worst of the criticism. His on-the-pitch performances have improved and he is now acclimatised to life in England, but De Gea insists he never doubted his own ability." Read more.

MU Goal Keeper Tends Net without CLs

The Manchester United goal keeper, David De Gea, played without his CLs. The Daily Mail reports that "Coach Brian McClair said: 'One of the lads was prescribed contact lenses to wear during games. Instead of trying them out during the week, he spent 45 minutes before a match attempting to put them in. A team-mate tried to help him out by holding his eye open, only for the lens to fall in the sink. I cannot comment on how this affected his performance.'" Read more.

Manchester United's Goal to Get Laser Surgery

"David de Gea, who has been dropped as Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper, may need laser eye surgery to correct a problem with his vision," reports ESPN's SoccerNet. "Spaniard De Gea has suffered with a condition that affects the long-range vision in one eye since childhood and regularly wears glasses, switching to contact lenses when he plays. United employ a full-time optometrist, based at their training ground, and the £18 million summer signing from Atletico Madrid has been recommended for treatment to restore his sight to normal as he tries to eradicate the mistakes that have cost him his place." Read more.