The Italian striker was not in action over the last week - but it looks like he has been having a lot of fun nonetheless.
Overlooked by new Italy boss Giampiero Ventura for the World Cup qualifying fixture against Liechtenstein and suspended from Nice’s Ligue 1 meeting with Saint-Etienne on Sunday, there was the promise of a relatively quiet week for Mario Balotelli.
But nothing with the former Liverpool striker can ever truly be considered serene, and he has taken the opportunity to make the most of his time off.
It was a week in which a former manager actually took the time to agree with Balo’s assessment of him.