Mario Balotelli absolutely loved his role as football's king of the bad boys.

The Italian maverick, who made a name for himself by coupling ridiculous talent with mad-hatted antics, holds a special place in the hearts of football fans around the globe.

On his day, Balotelli was absolutely unplayable thanks to his brand of swashbuckling bravado and unrelenting self-confidence.

Sadly, despite being one of the most talented players of his generation, Balotelli's player career only ever simmered, never reaching the violent boil that many had expected.

That is largely, if not entirely, down to his ne'er-do-well attitude that blighted his career as he lurched from one controversy to the next.

But what were his greatest moments of lunacy?

Mario Balotelli smiles during training

NAPLES, ITALY - OCTOBER 14: Mario Balotelli of Italy smiles during a training session on October 14, 2013 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Well, thanks to handy thread that has been doing the round on Twitter, we can highlight eleven of Balotelli's most unhinged moments.

Peeing on teammates bags

Mario started with his nonsense as a young man at Lumezanne where he was known for urinating on people's bags, clean clothes, and sometimes, even people.

Openly supporting AC Milan while playing for Inter

He enjoyed some success after signing for Inter Milan but his open and very unsubtle support of fierce rivals AC Milan riled fans right up the wrong way.

Wearing an AC Milan shirt during a TV interview was an ill-advised move and ultimately lead to his departure.

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Ignoring Jose Mourinho pleas to not get a red card

As Inter's only fit striker during a crucial European tie, Jose Mourinho made a point of urging an already yellow carded Balotelli to keep his cool in the second half.

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 17: Inter Milan head coach Josè Mourinho congratulates goal scorer Mario Balotelli during the Serie A match between Inter Milan Milan and AC Siena, at the Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Balotelli was sent off in the 46th minute with Mourinho branding the striker 'unmanageable'.

His crazy John Lewis shopping list

Having been sent out to get an ironing board for his new Manchester home, Balotelli returned from John Lewis with a quad-bike, trampoline and Scalextric set.

Manchester City probably should've know it was going to be a wild ride.

"Because I am rich"

Having crashed his dishy Audi R8 on the way to training, Balotelli was queried by suspicious police as to why he £5,000 in cash in his back pocket.

His response was typically Balotelli-esque: "Because I am rich."

Bulls-eye?

Mario Balotelli in action for Manchester City in 2012

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Mario Balotelli of Man City looks on during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City FC and Sporting Lisbon at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Balotelli was later fined £100,000 for lobbing darts out of a first-story window at Manchester City's academy players.

His explanation was once again a simple one: "I was bored."

That pre-season backheel

Clean through on goal, Balotelli attempted an outrageous back-heel to finish off the move.

He scuffed it, was unapologetic and immediately hooked from the field of play by a fuming Roberto Mancini.

Mario Balotelli's teammates confront him after back-heel
Football - LA Galaxy v Manchester City - World Football Challenge - Pre Season Friendly - The Home Depot Center, Carson, Los Angeles, United States of America - 11/12 - 24/7/11 Edin Dzeko (R) - Manchester City questions Mario Balotelli after he backheels an effort at goal Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex Gallardo EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Football - LA Galaxy v Manchester City - World Football Challenge - Pre Season Friendly - The Home Depot Center, Carson, Los Angeles, United States of America - 11/12 - 24/7/11

Edin Dzeko (R) - Manchester City questions Mario Balotelli after he backheels an effort at goal

Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex Gallardo

EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Fireworks in bathroom

Balotelli caused thousand of pounds in damage when he set off a barrage of fireworks in the bathroom of his Manchester home.

The next day he infamously unveiled his 'Why always me?' t-shirt before, later that season, becoming the face of a firework safety campaign.

The famous Germany celebration

Having been quizzed on his muted celebrations at Euro 2012, Balotelli quipped:

"I'm only doing my job. When a postman delivers letters, does he celebrate?"

Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring against Germany
WARSAW, POLAND - JUNE 28: Mario Balotelli (R) of Italy celebrates with team-mate Claudio Marchisio after scoring his team's second goal as Philipp Lahm of Germany shows his dejection during the UEFA EURO 2012 semi final match between Germany and Italy at the National Stadium on June 28, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

WARSAW, POLAND - JUNE 28: Mario Balotelli (R) of Italy celebrates with team-mate Claudio Marchisio after scoring his team's second goal as Philipp Lahm of Germany shows his dejection during the UEFA EURO 2012 semi final match between Germany and Italy at the National Stadium on June 28, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

He then scored against Germany and gave us one of the most iconic celebrations of all time.

Punching his teammates

Having embarked on quite the adventure around Europe, Balotelli was spotted punching his Adama Demispor teammate in frustration at being subbed off.

It was quite the hit as well.