According to Fabrizio Romano, Balotelli will be named in Roberto Mancini’s squad for an Italy get-together at the Coverciano training ground next week.
After reigning victorious at the delayed Euro 2020 last year, the Azzurri bringing back a player of the past in Mario Balotelli is somewhat surprising.
Balotelli was capped the last time in 2018, after Mancini recalled him, the prior run-outs coming back in 2014.
Mario Balotelli is back and will be called up by Roberto Mancini for Italian national team next games 🔙🇮🇹 #Balotelli
Exclusive news reported yesterday will be official in the next few hours. Announcement in place. Balotelli already had a direct contact with Mancini himself. pic.twitter.com/jFukUHXWLC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 23, 2022
The former Manchester City man is currently playing his trade in the Turkish Super Lig with European football chasing Adana Demirspor.
The 31-year-old striker has netted eight times in his first 19 appearances in Adana – playing under Vincenzo Montella – in what is their first taste of top division football in 26 years.
SuperMario’s return to the Squadra Azzurra has produced a concerning reaction among many Italian fans and colleagues.
Less than two years ago, Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini described Balotelli as “a negative person with no respect for the team.”
Mario Balotelli played for Lumezzano, Inter, Manchester City, Milan, Liverpool, Nico, Marseille, Brescia and Monzo before joining Adana Demirspor last summer.
