The most interesting off-pitch career in The World: Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is one of the iconic figures in football. The ex-Manchester City player has been a thrilling personality, and his goal contributions so far (199 goals and 43 assists in 472 matches), as good as they look on paper (over 0.5 goal contributions per game), are not the most exciting thing about the Italian.
If you’re sick and tired of the Mbappe to Real Madrid saga, or other transfer rumors hovering around the space, we welcome you to some of the craziest stories about Super Mario.

The $400,000 Lap Dance 

The name Mario Balotelli still triggers memories of the good, the bad, and the downright outlandish. With a career dotted with more scandal than most reality TV shows, our man Balotelli never did like to play by the rules.
Who can forget that 11 years ago, when the then 21-year-old football prodigy threw caution to the wind, which apparently cost him £250,000 (approximately $396,000), for a wild night at a Liverpool strip club? Forget Super Mario; this was more 'Stripper Mario.' The eve of a game, no less! It's been said that 'Balotelli' is Italian for 'trouble,' and he sure lived up to his moniker that night.
The headline could have read, "$400K for a lap dance in Liverpool - why not?" because that's essentially what Balotelli's late-night escapade cost him. Oh, how the bad boy of football must have cringed when he found himself being fined two weeks' wages by his then-manager, Roberto Mancini.
Mancini, who often saw Balotelli as a prodigal son, was left miffed and bemused. Yet, even in his exasperation, Mancini hoped the 'party animal' would soon settle down, preferably with his then-girlfriend Rafaella Fico.
"It seems anything can happen with him at any moment," Mancini quipped at the time, unknowingly painting a perfect picture of Balotelli's future career.
As we now know, Balotelli didn't entirely trade his wild ways for a quiet life by the fireside, at least not immediately. The rollercoaster ride of Balotelli's career since those headline-making days of 2012 has seen numerous other exploits and controversies, making that £250,000 fine seem almost quaint. But hey, who are we to judge? 

Fireworks from the bath - sure, why not?

Oh boy! If you thought footballer Mario Balotelli's shenanigans ended at strip clubs and colossal fines, you're in for quite the story. Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and let's rewind to 2011. A time when Mario's troubles at the time seemed more familiar than Fabrizio Romano's "Here we go" tweets", and the antics reached new heights. Or should we say depths?
Let's set the scene. It's the eve of the highly anticipated Manchester derby. The city's abuzz, and the players are focused. Well, most of them. Not our man Balotelli. Instead of pre-match meditation or strategizing, our maverick striker is preoccupied with another burning issue. Literally.
Fireworks from the bath - sure, why not? And why wouldn't we expect nothing less from a player who seemingly thrives on chaos? Just before 1 am on a Saturday, Balotelli and a few comrades decided to launch fireworks through an open window from the comfort of his bathroom. As the flames from ignited towels licked up the walls of his plush Cheshire property, one can't help but admire the audacity of the man.
The inferno, dubbed a "substantial fire," did some serious damage before two fire crews managed to snuff it out, prompting a swift visit from the local police. With Balotelli dashing back into the flaming building to rescue a suitcase and money, one might wonder if his bravery is commendable or just plain mad.
But this is Mario Balotelli, ladies and gentlemen. The same Balotelli who was then hauled before manager Roberto Mancini for a stern talking-to. Mancini's words of wisdom? A subtle reminder that sleeping, not indoor fireworks, should be the typical eve-of-match ritual.

How did “Why Always Me?” was given birth?

Those famous three words, "Why Always Me?" became an emblem of the enigma that is Mario Balotelli. When you think of this talented yet temperamental Italian footballer, that iconic slogan, printed on an undershirt and revealed in the heat of a derby match, springs to mind. But how was this audacious retort to the world's scrutiny born? Gather around, folks, because here comes the tale.
Balotelli, the £24 million signing from Inter in 2010, landed at the Etihad like a comet. Manager Roberto Mancini even hailed him as the next Messi or Ronaldo. But with great fame comes great scrutiny, and the spotlight on Balotelli was relentless, bathing him in a glow that alternated between harsh and flattering.
Stories around Balotelli, both true and exaggerated, whirled like a tempest. From clashes with teammates to domestic pyrotechnic mishaps (as we stated above), these tales painted Balotelli as football's resident 'bad boy.' Amid this storm, one could imagine Balotelli wondering: why is it always me on the front page, the object of endless gossip and speculation?
And so, the stage was set for the birth of "Why Always Me?" Enter City's hitman at the time, Les 'Chappy' Chapman, was entrusted with the task of bringing Balotelli's phrase to life. It wasn't the first idea Balotelli had suggested, but as soon as it was uttered, Chapman knew it was 'the one.'
The grand unveiling came at a derby game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 23, 2011. Scoring the opening goal 22 minutes in, Balotelli revealed his undershirt, proudly bearing his message to the world. Even though it earned him a yellow card, the statement was well worth it, especially after City demolished United 6-1, and Balotelli added another goal to his tally.
What was meant as a simple statement, a plea, or a challenge soon became an iconic slogan, emblematic of Balotelli's relationship with fame, media, and the beautiful game. "Why Always Me?" – a phrase coined in a moment of exasperation, ended up being a rhetorical question to the world. But in essence, it's quintessentially Mario Balotelli, the player who always gives us something to talk about.