Mario Balotelli Commissions Statue Of Himself In Iconic Goal Celebration Pose

Mario Balotelli used to be good value for at least one crazy headline a week, and quite often more.

Whether it was buying two Vespas while looking for an ironing board, giving tramps £1,000, rescuing kids from school bullies, inspiring his manager to throw a suitcase at him or setting off fireworks in his bathroom, the ever-entertaining Italian striker always had something going on.

His recent fatherhood and move to Italy appeared to have calmed him down slightly, however, and his on-pitch form since his move to AC Milan in January - which has seen him score four goals in his first four matches - appeared to have heralded a new era of sensibleness from the 21-year-old.

But just when we'd given up on him generating funny headlines, he goes and commissions a statue of himself to stand outside his new house.

Italian local newspaper Il Giornale di Brescia reports that Balotelli has commissioned a local artist called Livio Scarpella to build a statue of himself striking the now-iconic 'muscle man' pose he showed off after scoring a goal for Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany.

"I showed him various sketches, but Mario wanted to be immortalised in his pose after the goal: showing off his muscles and with his expression challenging his opponents," Scarpella said.

While Scarpella says that he sees the statue presenting Balotelli as "an athlete from ancient times", it won't be the usual boring old limestone or bronze number you might find in Pompeii or Rome. Scarpella has very different materials in mind.

"The statue will be between the classic and pop style, in platinum and coloured bronze with the eyes made of precious stones."

In other words a ridiculous one-off that defies belief. Just like the man himself, then.