Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has scoffed at claims he was dumped on live Italian TV.

Balotelli had a misadventure this week when 'girlfriend' Melissa Castagnoli announced she was dumping him live on television.

The striker said: "She was never my girlfriend. Everyone tries to use me for publicity so they can be in the newspapers. I have a girlfriend who I care about very much, but I will never tell you her name."

 Click here for the best Manchester City coverage on the 'net. All your City news and gossip in one spot.