Mario Balotelli has commissioned a life-sized statue of himself to be made at his home in Brescia. According to Il Giornale di Brescia, the 22-year-old asked local artist Livio Scarpella to “immortalize” him in a statue depicting the pose he demonstrated after scoring his second goal in Italy’s 2-1 win in the Euro 2012 semifinal against Germany.

"I have received the commission, but I've never met Balotelli so I am working from photos," Scarpella told the paper in an interview. "I presented several drawings but Mario wanted to be immortalized in a pose that shows him having scored a goal, highlighting his muscles and with an expression of defiance. I have imagined him as an athlete from ancient times and the statue will be a mix of classical and pop style in platinum and colored bronze with the eyes made of stones."

Balotelli recently returned to Northern Italy to play for AC Milan in January after a turbulent three-year spell at Manchester City. He has scored four goals in his first four appearances for his new club.