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Balotelli's five moments of madness

Lee Smith / Action Images

LONDON - Mario Balotelli joined Liverpool from AC Milan on Monday. Here AFP Sports looks at five moments of madness from the controversial Italian striker:

Bad first impression

Just days after signing for City, Balotelli hits the headlines after crashing his Audi R8 en route to the club's training ground. Balotelli is found to be carrying £5,000 in cash at the time of the accident and when police ask why, he reportedly replies: "Because I am rich".

Dart shame

Balotelli once again showed his lack of maturity and poor judgement when it emerged he threw darts at City youth team players through a training ground window in March 2011. No one was hurt in the incident and he escaped punishment.

Fireworks off the pitch

Balotelli had a run-in with the emergency services in October 2011 after a firework is set off in the bathroom of his home, triggering a fire.

The next day, he scored in the Manchester derby and celebrated by revealing a T-shirt which reads: "Why always me?"

Bizarre prison break

Mario and 17-year-old brother Enock were arrested strolling through the grounds of a women's prison in Brescia, near Milan, in October 2011.

Balotelli is said to have told police that curiosity got the better of him and "just fancied having a look".

Banned after Parker stamp

Balotelli is charged with violent conduct by the Football Association, and subsequently handed a four-match ban, after appearing to stamp on the head of Tottenham's Scott Parker during a Premier League match in January 2012.

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