Mario Balotelli is used to striking fear into the hearts of defenders around Europe – but he got a taste of his own medicine during his summer holidays.

The Manchester City striker and his brother decided to try out a bungee catapult during a holiday in Ibiza earlier this summer.

A petrified Balotelli was left to reflect on his mortality after being flung 400ft into the air.

He said: “Just the time… just the time to… how should I say… the time to think about it. Think about it: your whole life depends on a gear. If a single gear comes off you’re dead.”

But he got over his fear pretty quickly – he went on the ride three times at a cost of £120.