As we root for Italy against Costa Rica this evening, we'd also like to take a moment to celebrate the team's striker - the one and only Mario Balotelli.
From requesting a kiss from the Queen to being dubbed Mario Bibatelli - here's the best of Balotelli so far, and 11 reasons why we love him, below:
1. He keeps it real
Shortly after joining Manchester City in 2010, the striker was involved in a car crash and was apparently found with around £5,000 on his person. When asked by the police why he was carrying such a huge amount of cash, he replied simply: "Because I am rich."
2. He refers to himself in the third person
When Balotelli was asked what he thought of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's claim that fellow Italian footballer Antonio Cassano was the best Italian talent, he replied: "He is wrong, or knows little of Balotelli."
What to Read Next
3. He's got a sense of humour
Because this is a joke... Right?
4. He's self-aware
5. He's got a way with words
On reports that he cheated on former Big Brother winner Sophie Reade back in 2011, he explained: "She started to bombard me with texts, I had to block her number.
"She's a superficial little character."
6. He's friendly!
7. He's not afraid to cry
A substituted Balotelli weeps from the sidelines as AC Milan are defeated by Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo earlier this year.
8. He's generous
"If Real Madrid come back in Champions League, I'll let my girlfriend [Fanny Neguesha] sleep with them!" Balotelli is quoted as saying in Spanish papers AS and Marca.
9. He makes something so simple seem near impossible
"I think I'm going to change his name to Mario Bibatelli!" jokes Robbie Savage. Best not.
10. He's not afraid to learn the hard way
11. He's got a point
On the media's projection of him, Balotelli reflected: "If I buy a Fiat Uno, I'll read that, for a man like me, a Ferrari was more suitable. If instead I buy a Ferrari, they'll write that I should have kept my feet on the ground and bought a Fiat.
"If I smile, I'm not serious. If I don't smile, I'm a rich sulker that doesn't enjoy having the most beautiful job in the world."
Italy v Costa Rica kicks off at 5pm today on BBC One.
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
