'Are you ready?' - Mario Balotelli stocks up on fireworks for New Year's Eve as controversial striker sends reminder to Man City 13 years after setting his house on fire at 1am

The days of Mario Balotelli making headlines for his dangerous behaviour are long gone but the Italian striker could not help but reflect on old memories with Manchester City that involved plenty of fireworks. Balotelli posted on Instagram lying on a box of fireworks and tagged his former club with the caption "Are you ready?".

In October 2011, Balotelli had to evacuate his house after letting off a barrel of fireworks in his Manchester bathroom, with the place catching fire, and the incident was inevitably picked up by mainstream media. It was on the eve of a huge Manchester derby, which City won 6-1 and Balotelli scored twice in. It was also the birth of his iconic 'Why Always Me?' celebration, referencing the attention he constantly picked up during his time in England.

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Balotelli is now playing his football at Serie A side Genoa. He has made six league appearances so far this term but has yet to score a goal. The 34-year-old is resigned to playing a bit-part role, making short cameos in matches as he reaches the twilight of his career.

Everyone - hopefully including Balotelli - will be keen to see the fireworks the striker was posing with let off in a safe manner. Balotelli is only tied down to Genoa until the summer so any bad behaviour would surely see his stay cut short.