Mario Balotelli was incredibly calm following the announcement that Roberto Mancini has called him up to the Azzurri camp for the first time in three years.
The 31-year-old Italian striker, who is currently plying his trade with Adana Demirspor in Turkey, made his last Italy appearance back in September 2018, in a Nations League game against Poland. He has been called up by Mancini for the Italy training camp in Coverciano this week.
Speaking to Bresciaingol, Balotelli looked calm following the announcement.
“I’m good and I’m in a good mood. At 31 years old, playing for the national team should be normal, abnormality is not being there.
“I hope Italy qualify for the World Cup, they deserve it. I don’t know why they are in the play-offs but it can happen.”
He ruled out a return to Serie A for the time being.
“I’m fine in Turkey, I’m in a good mood now.”
Finally, Balotelli commented on his relationship with Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini.
“We talked and everything is good, he gave me my debut and I hope he will be the one who will see me finish one day.”
The 31-year-old Balotelli has performed well in Turkey this season; contracted to Adana Demirspor until 2024, the Italian striker has made 21 appearances across all competitions, for a total of 1309 minutes. In that time, he has scored nine goals and provided five assists, finding his footing for the first time in a long while.
Balotelli sul ritorno in azzurro: "A 31 anni la Nazionale dovrebbe essere la normalità" https://t.co/11Y9O2M07w
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) January 24, 2022
Happy to see him back.
At least now we might see less offsides.
Immobile doesn’t go offside more than anybody else.
If I have to be honest, and I noticed this a few times, Insigne holds on to the ball a second or two too long. I remember 1st Half of the Euro Final Immobile was offside and I said to the people I was with that surely people were cursing him out. But he did his job right, it was Insigne. I love Insigne but he slows things down.