Watch Video of Balotelli Applauding Ghana Goalkeeper For Saving His Free Kick

• FC Sion star Mario Balotelli was in awe at Lawrence Ati Zigi's save of his kick
• The St Gallen goalkeeper blocked the Italian during a Swiss league encounter
• Ati Zigi has been named the best player in the Swiss league after the first round

Mario Balottelli is hardly impressed by the performance of opponents he comes up against, but Ghana goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati Zigi proved to be an exception.

The best player in the first half of the Swiss league managed to draw applause from the Italian forward, when Saint Gallen faced Sion.

Balotelli, who had come on from the bench, was only denied by the brilliance of the Black Stars goalkeeper.

In a video shared on social media, the closest Balotelli came to scoring was through a free kick, but Ati Zigi's fingertip save prevented the Sion striker from getting a goal.

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Balotteli immediately cheered the opposition keeper for his heroic effort.

Sion ended up winning the game 2-1, following first-half goals from Ilyas Chouaref and Filip Stojikovic. St Gallen pulled one back through Gregory Karlen.

Ati Zigi is now preparing with his teammates ahead of the return of the Swiss top flight league on January 29, 2022.

The World Cup star was voted the best player in the Swiss League after the first round, and was also voted the Player of the Month for November.

Ati Zigi named best player

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Black Stars goalkeeper Ati Zigi has been voted the best player of the first round of the Swiss Football League.

The Ghana international beat competition from Cedric Itten of Young Boys, Servette FC's David Douline, Koro Kone of Yverdon FC and Valon Fazlu of FC Aarau to win.

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Ati Zigi has been in sensational form this season, and was named player of the month in November following his impressive displays for FC Saint Gallen.

Ati Zigi wins Player of the Month

Black Stars goalkeeper Ati Zigi is the best player in the Swiss League for the month of November.

The 26-year-old has been in splendid form for FC St Gallen in the Swiss top flight.

He was voted for the award by the the community of the Swiss Football League.