Mario Balotelli believes Italy’s national team players or somebody ‘in the upper floors’ at FIGC blocked his Azzurri return and insists he will ‘never give’ up although he had considered international retirement.
Balotelli has recently returned to Turkish side Adana Demirspor and has released an interview with TVPlay, discussing his Italy career and why he hasn’t featured for the Azzurri for more than five years.
“I no longer watch Italy games. It hurts too much not to be there,” he admitted.
“At times, I hated people working for the national team, but honestly, I can’t watch their games because I’d like to be involved. I owe a lot to Mancini, but he owes a lot to me too. Italy-North Macedonia gave me the biggest pain. I don’t think I ever recovered from that sorrow.”
Balotelli was called up for a get-together at Coverciano in January 2022, two months before a World Cup play-off semi-final against North Macedonia that saw the Azzurri face a 1-0 loss in Palermo.
Italy did not play any competitive match in January 2022, but Balotelli hoped he would return for official games after training under Mancini at Coverciano.
“I took responsibility for not qualifying for the World Cup even if I had not even played because some ‘senators’ didn’t have the courage to put themselves out there,” he said.
“After the stage, Mancini told me that a call-up for me was nearly guaranteed, but after that, he no longer picked up the phone and didn’t give me an explanation. Perhaps some players did not want Balotelli, surely it was not his choice, I am 100% sure. Somebody in the upper floors or among the players no longer wanted me.
“I thought about international retirement after that, but in terms of quality, there isn’t somebody else like me. I will never give up for Italy,” added the 33-year-old striker.
“I would accept not to be a starter because I know nobody could make the difference more than me, even when coming off the bench. Spalletti is an ideal coach, but he doesn’t have much time to pass on his ideas.”
Balotelli made his senior Italy debut in 2010 in a 1-0 loss against Ivory Coast in London. His last appearance came in a 1-1 draw against Poland in November 2018. Balotelli has played 36 games at a senior level with Italy, scoring 14 goals.
Balotelli was the one who block Balotelli’s return to the national team.
His attitude and work ethic (or lack thereof) was and still is the problem.
I realize it’s in fashion for young people today to blame everyone else for everything, accepting no personal responsibilities themselves but in this case, he 100% sabotaged himself. He was given SO MANY opportunities that most people will never get and he squandered ALL of them with his actions and attitude. Because of his race, people bent over backwards for him giving him multiple chances. I hope he makes better life choices in the future. Maybe he can make his mark as a coach if he grows up.
@Meez – ‘because of his race, people bent over backwards . . . . . ”
What has his race got to do with anything? you need to grow up a bit – not Balotelli
A one legged ballotelli is 90 percent better of than all the current nò 9 in the national team
Feroli well said
In the nationale colours he’s an absolute monster
To leave him out was and is at the team’s detriment
Italian NT has enough problems as it is. They don’t need other one named Barwuah.
He is definitely better than Immobile and many centre forwards currently selected.
I think Balottelli is a good player as a center forward.
Well said Meez
no excuse for not giving him a chance he is better than most of the in the team alest his shots count he better be given a chance in the lst 2 games the playoff teams are better than us
Balotelli is a fantastic striker. Without him, Italy have no bite
Antonio D’Silva.
the son of a man is damn confident that the NT selection. talk about his current form at Adana.. the boy is amazing.. . they need super Mario…