Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is known as one of the most interesting yet controversial Premier League stars of all time.
He won the Premier League and FA Cup during his three-year spell at the Etihad, but is best known for some of his craziest moments.
There’s his ‘Why Always Me’ celebration after scoring against fierce rivals Manchester United, as well as the ‘bib saga’ involving manager Roberto Mancini.
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He also set his house on fire by releasing fireworks in his bathroom, because why not?
But former team-mate Micah Richards says that’s not the only time he had a fireworks incident.
Speaking about ‘cult hero’ Balotelli on BBC Sport, Richards said: “He’s brilliant, I’m always reluctant to tell stories about him because he’s still playing. But the firework story – he set off the firework and burnt down his own house – but that wasn’t the only time he had done it.
“He came to do it at my house and chased me around my house with fireworks which were lit. I couldn’t believe it – it sounds ridiculous.”
It seems the Italian striker has a bit of a thing for fireworks.
Speaking about Balotelli’s wider persona, Richards continued: “He was crazy in a good way – he was only 18 when he came to Man City, he was just messing around. He was brilliant to have around the squad – a cult hero not just for the nonsense he did off the field but on it as well.
“The only assist he got was that one for Sergio Aguero in the QPR title-winning game, he scored two goals in the 6-1 win against United and the fans now love him.
“The best thing about him is he’s a lovely guy, he’s not arrogant or how the papers try to perceive him, he’s just a bit mad.”
Balotelli left England in January 2013 to join AC Milan, but he soon returned with Liverpool.
He scored four goals in 28 games at Anfield and was loaned back to the Italian giants.
He’s since played for Nice and Marseille in Ligue 1, as well as Brescia in Italy.
Balotelli has scored two goals in eight games for Serie B side Monza this campaign.
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