Mario Balotelli showed why he is one of the best young soccer players in the world at Euro 2012.
He scored three goals, and led his underdog Italy team to the final.
But more often than not, the 21-year-old is in the news for off-the-field reasons.
These anecdotes involve fireworks, dead fish, and stomping on people's heads.
We've been chronicling his exploits for the better part of a year, and we now have 24 crazy Mario tales.
He tore off his shirt and stood there perfectly still while flexing after scoring at goal at Euro 2012 (June 2012)
He proclaimed that he would 'kill' any racists at Euro 2012 (May 2012)
Racism was a big worry going into Euro 2012, but Balotelli had some stern words for racists before the tournament, saying, "I will not accept racism at all. It's unacceptable. If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to jail, because I will kill them."
Source: The Guardian
He got banned for three matches for getting too many red cards, after which his coach proclaimed he was finished with him for good in an epic rant (April 2012)
Here's what Roberto Mancini had to say:
"I've finished my words for him. I've finished. I love him as a guy, as a player. I know him. He's not a bad guy and is a fantastic player. But, at this moment, I'm very sorry for him because he continues to lose his talent, his quality."I hope, for him, he can understand that he's in a bad way for his future. And he can change his behavior in the future. But I'm finished. We have six games left and he will not play."
Mario played in City's final game, and got an assist on their league-winning goal
Source: The Guardian
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Please follow Sports Page on Twitter and Facebook.