10 Moments That Define Mario Balotelli's Career

The news that the British media have been pining for since January 2012 is finally upon us - Mario Balotelli is returning. Having sold one troublesome maverick this summer, Brendan Rodgers feels that he can tame the man who once set a firework off in his bathroom on the eve of a Mancunian derby. There is no denying the 24 year old's class, but the Italian is so often wrapped in a ball of controversy, that he is almost always a moment away from crossing the border from genius into liability territory. Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini are both experienced in their field of expertise, and have successfully dealt with some loose canons in their time, but even they struggled with the enigma that was Mario. Behind that brash, arrogant exterior lies a truly gifted player capable of challenging the world's top strikers, but there is a reason that AC Milan are willing to sell him for just £4 million more than Shane Long. While he may have been a popular figure at Eastlands, it didn't stop him from falling out with half the team, with hard-working grafters such as Vincent Kompany and Carlos Tevez having one or two words to say about his lack of professionalism and poor work ethic at times. Rodgers may be able to curtail his shortcomings, and allow him to prosper as the star of the Liverpool front-line, but it will be interesting to see how he fits into a Liverpool dynamic based on each player knowing their duty and performing it to a strict level. Nevertheless, not many 24 year olds have had such an eventful career as the Ghanaian-born Italian, having demonstrated a paradox of polarizing moments displaying both maturity and a distinct lack thereof, throughout his short career. There are two Marios - the charismatic, sublimely talented finisher, and the abrasive, egocentric plague on the sport. Take a look at these ten moments which demonstrate just exactly what Mario Balotelli is all about.