There are so many stories floating around the Etihad Stadium about the colourful Italian it is often difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.


But here are top ten tales surrounding the former Inter Milan marksman who just can’t seem to keep out of trouble.

1. CAR CRASH (August 2010)
Balotelli crashes his Audi R8 en route to the club’s training ground just days after signing for City and tells police the reason he has £5,000 on him is ‘because I am rich’.

2. WILSHERE SNUB (December 2010)
After beating Jack Wilshere to FIFA’s Young Player of the Year award, Balotelli claims he has never heard of the England and Arsenal midfielder.

3. DARTS DRAMA (March 2011)
Balotelli does his best Phil Taylor impersonation by throwing a dart at a City youth team player. He lacks the accuracy of the 16-time world champion, however, and escapes punishment as no-one is hurt.

4. BACK-HEEL BLUNDER (July 2011)
A furious Mancini substitutes the Italian in a pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy after performs a pirouette then back-heels his attempted finish wide when clean through on goal.

5. FIREWORK EXPLOSIVES (October 2011)
There’s another rocket aimed in Balotelli’s direction after a firework is set off in the bathroom at his home prompting a call to the fire brigade. The next day, he scores in the Manchester derby and celebrates by revealing a T-shirt which reads: ‘Why always me?’

6. CURFEW CALAMITY (December 2011)
Balotelli fails to curry favour with Mancini after breaking a 48-hour curfew and visiting an Indian restaurant before a big match against Chelsea.

7. RICHARDS RUMPUS (December 2011)
A few days later Balotelli is involved in training ground shenanigans with team-mate Micah Richards.

8. PARKER PALAVER (January 2012)
Balotelli appears to stamp on the head of Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker and is handed a four-match ban after being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. The incident was missed by the referee and Balotelli wins a late penalty which gives City victory.

9. HOGGING CENTRE STAGE (March 2012)
Officials and media representatives are stunned as Balotelli gatecrashes an Inter Milan press conference to announce the appointment of their new coach Andrea Stramaccioni.

10. TRANING GROUND CLASH WITH MANCINI (JANUARY 2013)
Mario Balotelli involved in a training ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini.