Sky Sports claim "you either love him or hate him" ... well put me in the latter category.
I will never forget how he scored a penalty against Tim Krul earlier this season, then folded his arms, walked up to the Dutch goalkeeper and went eye-ball to eye-ball ... as if to say "Aren't I fabulous ... I've beaten you from 12 yards".
What a prick!
Now Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has condemned Balotelli for the stamp on Scott Parker he felt should have led to the Manchester City striker being sent off in Sunday afternoon's Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Then Balotelli scored the injury-time penalty to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for the hosts.
The controversial Italian, introduced as a substitute after Tottenham had hauled themselves back from two goals down, got involved in a tangle with Parker during the second half.
His initial contact appeared to be accidental. But a second seemed to involve a deliberate movement of the foot by Balotelli, who has been sent off three times in his short City career already.
TV pundits Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen and Gary Neville were in no doubt it should have brought a red card from World Cup final referee Howard Webb.
Redknapp: "What reason did he have to backheel Scott in the head with his studs when he is laying on the floor?
"I couldn't see a reason for it. It is not a nice thing to do. It has no place in football.
"Having looked at it, yes, I do (think Balotelli should have been sent off).
"It is not the first time he has done that and I am sure it won't be the last.
"I am the last person to talk about getting people sent off and what they should and shouldn't do.
"But it is blatant. He reacts to challenges like that at times.
"He is not my problem. Let someone else have the problem.
"He is a good player, of course he is. We all know he is a talent.
"But loveable what?
"I have my opinions but it is up to their manager.
"It is not something I understand, why he should go and backheel someone in the head when he is on the floor?
"What happens now doesn't interest me. What is done is done. But I am sure they (the FA) will have a look at it. They must do mustn't they."
City manager Roberto Mancini has been embroiled in enough controversy over the last few games for waving imaginary cards.
He did not attend the post-match press conference due and it was no surprise tha assistant manager David Platt "didn't see the incident", even though everyone else in the ground did.
Platt: "I haven't seen the VT. Until I have, I can't comment."
SUNDAY'S PREMIERSHIP ACTION:
Balotelli fired home from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of added time as Manchester City beat Tottenham 3-2 in the Barclays Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.
City are still three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table after Sir Alex Ferguson's men won 2-1 at Arsenal in Sunday's second match.
Spurs had looked set to become the first side to deny City victory on their own turf in the top-flight this season until Ledley King was penalised for fouling Balotelli and the Italian substitute stepped up to beat Brad Friedel.
The previously unremarkable contest burst into life with an astonishing spell of four goals in 10 second-half minutes, beginning when David Silva's precision defence-splitting pass was lashed home first time beyond Brad Friedel by Samir Nasri (56).
Moments later the home fans were in raptures when Silva's corner from left was flicked on by Edin Dzeko at the near post and bundled into the net by Joleon Lescott as he fell over under pressure from Scott Parker.
But Spurs immediately responded as Younes Kaboul's long ball out of defence was badly dealt with by centre-back Stefan Savic, allowing Jermain Defoe to burst clear, round Joe Hart and turn the ball home.
Then Gareth Bale, who was linked with an staggering £150million switch to City in the Sunday newspapers, levelled in stunning fashion as he swept home Aaron Lennon's pass across the edge of the box with a curling first-time finish that gave Hart no chance
Defoe came within inches of securing a last-gasp victory when Savic gave the ball away again, but the striker was unable to turn Bale's pass into the empty net at the far post with the goal gaping.
The drama wasn't over as King's blunder handed all the headlines to Balotelli, who was earlier fortunate to avoid sanction for clashing with Scott Parker.
At the Emirates Stadium, Danny Welbeck was the hero for United as his late winner secured three points against Arsenal.
The Red Devils came through the test with flying colours, going ahead on the stroke of half-time through Antonio Valencia after he nodded home Ryan Giggs' cross.
Prolific Gunners captain Robin van Persie pulled the hosts level 20 minutes from time, netting a superb pass from teenage winger Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who enjoyed an impressive afternoon on his first Premier League start.
But Welbeck saved the day for United in the 81st minute after Valencia turned provider, allowing the young striker to slot home from close range.