Mario Balotelli is the answer to Italy’s striker problems and should be recalled for the World Cup play-offs, argues his brother.
The Azzurri failed to qualify directly for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, finishing runners-up behind Switzerland after a 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland.
They have generally struggled for goals in recent months and Ciro Immobile’s injury showed the lack of viable alternatives.
Some have called for Balotelli to be brought back into the Nazionale fold by his old Inter and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.
“We are not a side like France, who have the likes of Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud,” Enock Barwuah told Notizie.com.
“With all due respect for Italy, we don’t have that kind of a selection in attack. This is why someone like Balotelli cannot be ignored, even just as part of the squad.”
Balotelli is now 31 years old and currently playing in Turkey for Adana Demirspor, where he has five goals and two assists in 13 official matches.
“I don’t understand how Mario can be left at home. He might not have the most extraordinary record at his various clubs, but when he pulls on the Italy jersey, he is transformed,” continued SuperMario’s brother.
“It’s disappointing that when it comes to Mario, people don’t look at what he does on the pitch, but rather what happens off it. He loves the Nazionale so much and hasn’t played for Italy for four years, despite scoring more than many others who were called up.
“Look, he will never do what Immobile and Andrea Belotti do, he is not one who works that hard for the team, but he has other characteristics and can create a goal out of nowhere.
“For a team that is struggling to score goals, he’d be ideal.”
Balotelli scored 14 goals in 36 senior caps for Italy, making his debut in August 2010.
His most recent appearance in the Azzurri jersey was in a 1-1 Nations League draw with Poland on September 7, 2018.