Mario Balotelli scores incredible RABONA goal following seven stepovers

Mario Balotelli never was a player to conform to conventional protocols, so on a day when many players are thinking about their summer holidays, the Italian produced one of the best displays of the season.

The former Manchester City striker, now playing for Turkish top flight side Adana Demirspor, put on a dazzling performance in the last game of the campaign topped by an incredible rabona goal against relegated outfit Goztepe.

In what could be a strong contender for the Puskas award for the best goal later on in the year, the 31-year-old cut inside after receiving the ball from the left as he made headway towards the goal.

After making his way inside the penalty area, Balotelli then performed seven step overs in front of a defender before taking the ball outside with a touch and fooling the goalkeeper from a tight angle on the corner of the six-yard box with an outrageous attempt of a rabona that skimmed across the target before settling into the bottom corner.

It wasn’t just a cameo finish either as in his side’s 7-0 thrashing of their hapless opponents, the striker, who also previously played for Liverpool, had previously scored another four times earlier in the match to cap a final day to remember.

It’s been a productive campaign for Balotelli who joined the club at the start of the season, netting 18 league goals in 31 games while also contributing four assists. 

While Balotelli’s ability has never been doubted, earning him high profile moves to City and the Reds as well as spells at AC Milan and Inter Milan, a lack of consistency and his maverick lifestyle have often made it difficult for him to settle at any club throughout his career.

But Sunday’s display proved that he can still produce the goods and that he doesn’t need a big game to motivate him either, with the end of season thrashing still only enough to earn his side a mid-table finish of ninth.

Balotelli’s last day heroics come 10 years after helping Manchester City win the title on the final day of the season, with the striker coming off the bench to play the crucial assist to Sergio Aguero to net the stoppage time winner that landed City the Premier League title in stoppage time in a memorable 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers. 

Little has changed 10 years on after City again had to come from behind on home soil against Aston Villa to win 3-2 late on in retaining the title on Sunday ahead of Liverpool thanks to a two-goal substitute cameo from midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

But Balotelli’s masterclass has perhaps come too late in his career to be considered worthy of a return to the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola’s outfit poised to land Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer to strengthen their forward line.