London, Feb 28 : Controversial AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has reportedly ordered a life-sized statue of himself so that he is `immortalised' in his new Italian home.

The former Manchester City striker, who transferred to Italian giants AC Milan in January, had commissioned a local worker Livio Scarpella to create his statue, the Sun reports.

Claiming that Balotelli wanted to be shown in a pose showing him having scored a goal and highlighting his muscles and a defiant expression on his face, Scarpella said that although he had received the commission, he has been working from photos as he had never met the eccentric footballer.

The sculptor also said that Balotelli had rejected his original plans for the statue which would shown the Italian star as an ancient athlete in a classical and pop style, adding that the statue would have been casted in platinum and coloured bronze with stone eyes.

Reports have claimed that the statue will recreate his pose after Balotelli has scored against Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final, the paper added. (ANI)