Seven years ago, Mario Balotelli was one of the hottest prospects in Europe with the Italian impressing for Inter Milan.

The controversial forward was a young 19-year-old and was on the brink of winning his third consecutive Serie A title for Inter.

But there was a player that wanted to bring him down a peg or two - that man was a certain Francesco Totti.

Back in 2010, during the Coppa Italia final between Roma and Inter Milan, Totti showed everyone exactly what he thought of Balotelli by brutally kicking the youngster and deservedly picking up a red card.

Totti then walked over towards Balotelli - who was down on the ground - and, if you thought he was going to apologise, you’re very much mistaken.

That’s because he can be seen slyly kicking Balotelli in the head whilst he’s down on the ground.

Wow.

After the game, Totti explained exactly why he booted Balotelli.

"I kicked him because of what he said on the pitch, and for what he did at San Siro," he said.

A year previously, Balotelli scored a brace at the San Siro against Roma and celebrated in front of the traveling fans, hushing them by placing his finger over his mouth.

Totti's red card attack on Balotelli

Balotelli lost respect for Totti

After Totti’s red card incident, Balotelli explained how he lost all respect for his compatriot after his shocking actions.

"I just told him something like: 'Are you going to keep playing or act like a baby?' He replied with a racist term," alleged Balotelli.

"Then I heard him tell Thiago Motta: 'Now I'll break him.' I smiled and walked away. After that, I got kicked. I didn't even understand at the time, it was only watching the footage that I realised how he kicked me.

"In any case, the insult hurt me more than the kick. Totti was someone I admired."

Seven years on and both Totti and Balotelli are still playing - although their careers have been very different.

Totti, who is now 40, is still at Roma while Balotelli has played for Manchester City, Milan, Liverpool and now finds himself at Nice.

While Balotelli was struggling in the Premier League with Liverpool, Totti attacked him once again - this time in the media, rather than with his right boot.

"I would not give advice to Balotelli. Everyone tries to, but he does not listen to anyone,” he said back in 2014.

It seems the relationship between the two Italian forwards is pretty strained, to say the least.