Now playing his football in France’s top tier, Mario Balotelli is slightly further from the spotlight when it comes to European football, however on Sunday night versus PSG the Nice frontman made the spotlight come to him with perhaps the most Balotelli-esque moment imaginable. 

At the beginning of his career the Italian was often targeted by defenders as they aimed to rile him up so he would do something stupid and get sent off. Now Balotelli appears to be turning the tables on those same antagonisers.

With Les Aiglons 2-0 up on their Parisian opponents, the 26-year-old took it upon himself to tease the opposition near the corner flag, this despite there being half an hour left to play.

While defender Thomas Meunier held up the striker and did not fall into his trap, the same cannot be said for Blaise Matuidi who went clattering into the back of the former Liverpool man to give away a needless free-kick.

Wasting time with half an hour to go probably isn’t the greatest idea in the world but Balotelli wasn’t left to rue this hilarious stunt as Nice went on to win 3-1.

Rob Lyons, Pundit Arena