Super Mario! Former Man City striker Balotelli shows off his impressive Muay Thai skills in training video... as Italian star visits a gym in Thailand during his post-season holidays

• e-mail

Former Man City striker Mario Balotelli has proved that his skills are not just limited to the football pitch after sharing a video of his Muay Thai training. 

The Italian made a name for himself as one of modern football's biggest characters with his various antics over the years - such as lighting fireworks inside his team's changing room. 

Now, however, it appears that the 33-year-old has found a way to release his energy without causing disturbances to his team-mates as he posted a video inside an MMA gym. 

In a video that appeared on X, Balotelli could be seen practicing some impressive kicks inside the Kamala Muay Thai gym in Phuket, Thailand.

The Adana Demirspor striker was clearly not a novice to the sport as he rattled off some powerful kicks onto the pads of his coach. 

Mario Balotelli showed off his Muay Thai skills in a recent video that appeared on X

The Italian striker was seen training inside the Kamala Muay Thai gym in Phuket, Thailand

In a post onto their Facebook page, the gym wrote: 'Kamala Muay Thai are thrilled to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mario Balotelli for joining us at our training camp.

Read More

Mario Balotelli pretends to SMOKE after a lighter is thrown on the pitch as the former Man City star produces another iconic goal celebration

'We are honored to have such a renowned athlete immerse himself in the rich tradition and rigorous discipline of Muay Thai with us.

'At Kamala Muay Thai, we pride ourselves on offering top-tier training that caters to all, from young beginners taking their first steps in the art of Muay Thai to seasoned professionals honing their skills. 

'Our camp is dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation for Muay Thai, its techniques, and its cultural heritage'.

Balotelli recently made headlines after pretending to smoke when a lighter was thrown onto the pitch during one his matches in the Turkish Super Lig. 

Demirspor fans have witnessed his abilities first hand with the 33-year-old scoring seven goals in 16 Super Lig appearances this season, with his latest coming against Fenerbahce back in April.

After scoring in the 25th minute, Balotelli celebrated by pretending to smoke after picking up a lighter that had been thrown at him by frustrated fans in the crowd.

The 33-year-old displayed some impressive kicks during his MMA training session

The former Man City and Liverpool star now plies his trade for Turkish side Adana Demirspor

It was another iconic celebration in a growing catalogue that also features Balotelli's famous moment when he revealed a 'why always me?' t-shirt after scoring against Man United in the Manchester derby.

Despite pretending to smoke after scoring, Balotelli has previously been seen with a real cigarette in his mouth while on a previous visit to Florida.

Then aged 23 and playing for AC Milan, he was pictured lighting up on a balcony at a hotel while walking around topless.