Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been chosen as the cover star for Time magazine's December edition.

The controversial Italy international will appear on the front cover of the publication after giving an in-depth interview, which reportedly focuses on issues of Italian politics and racism within the country.

Reports have claimed that the 22-year-old draws on his experience of adoption at a young age in the interview and the forthcoming birth of his first child with girlfriend Rafaella Fico.

The frontman initially split up from the Italian model after she accused him of infidelity and he later demanded a DNA test when she informed him that she was pregnant.