MARIO BALOTELLI once paid a bar owner £1,800 to drive a moped into the sea.
What’s more, the trundling racer was only wearing his pants as he drove into the drink.
While most players were busy souping up their fitness levels or sorting out their futures over the summer, the Italian showed why he’s one of a kind.
Balotelli, 31, is said to have paid the man £1,800 back in 2019 to drive his moped over the edge of a marina in Naples.
And the current Newcastle transfer target published the footage on Instagram, showing the crowd that had gathered to watch the daring stunt.
Later on, the striker posted a clip of attempting to start up the rescued moped.
Incredibly, after a few splutters, the engine kicked into gear and it was working once more.
In the seaside town of Mergellina, to the west of Naples city centre, Balotelli was reportedly seen making a bet with the bar owner before the stunt.
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And he was later spotted taking the cash he had earned.
As quoted by Football Italia, the man later joked to reporters: “My moped was only worth £540 anyway.”
Police were said to have pressed charges against Balotelli for ‘criminal solicitation and gambling’.
Since the incident, the Italian has had spells with Brescia, Monza and now Adana Demirspor.
And he has now been recalled to the Italy squad and will hope to fire them to World Cup qualification.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk