Tinchy Stryder: "Mancheser City's Mario Balotelli Wants To Race Jay-Z"

10 October 2012, 15:50 | Updated: 10 October 2012, 16:15

The 'Spaceship' rapper admits the football ace told him he would love to get behind the wheel against the '99 Problems' star.

Mario Balotelli apparently wants to set up a car race against Jay-Z, according to British rapper Tinchy Stryder.

The Manchester City star teamed up with the 'Number One' singer earlier this year to design a new t-shirt with Umbro, based on the footballer's famous "Why Always Me?" catchphrase.

Speaking to The Sun, he said "When I first met him, he said to me, 'I heard you know Jay-Z, have you got his number? I said, 'No I haven't' and he said, 'Well the next time you see him, I want to race him.'

The Premier League striker had just purchased a new set of wheels and was eager to test his motor against the best the US rapper had to offer.

"Mario had just bought a new car and said if Jay-Z's got a faster car then he'll race him," he added. "I'm not sure if Jay-Z even drives himself any more."

You can view a picture of Drake having dinner with Mario earlier this year below:

Earlier this year, Canadian star Drake was also pictured out enjoying a meal with Mario and Tinchy revealed he still keeps in contact with the Italian.

"We catch up every now and then," he said."He's a cool guy."

Meanwhile, Tinchy is currently on the road with Cheryl Cole as the support act for her debut solo UK arena tour.