The former fiancee of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has claimed that their relationship came to an end because he was unhappy with her modelling career.

Fanny Neguesha, 22, accepted Balotelli's proposal during the World Cup in Brazil last summer, but the romance came to an end a few months later.

"He didn't want to see me in photoshoots, or singing and dancing," Neguesha told Italian TV. "I tried to explain to him that I had a career as well, but he just wouldn't listen.

"Looking back maybe I was a bit too hasty. I should have taken a bit more time and thought about it before I accepted his proposal.

"He was a hard head and couldn't accept I wanted my own career path as well. In the end I returned the engagement ring to him. He was upset but we have both moved on now."

The split is said to have occurred prior to Balotelli's move from AC Milan to Liverpool in September.