Mario Balotelli has urged Italy to ‘wake up’ after he was subjected to a racist banner during his international comeback against Saudi Arabia.

Balotelli scored on his first Italy appearance in four years during Monday’s 2-1 win against the Saudis, but the occasion was tarnished by a distasteful banner, which read ‘my captain has Italian blood’.

That was interpreted by the striker as a dig at him, given he was born to Ghanaian parents and could take the Azzurri’s armband one day.

Mario Balotelli has urged Italy to ‘wake up’ after he was subjected to a racist banner during his international comeback against Saudi Arabia.

Balotelli scored on his first Italy appearance in four years during Monday’s 2-1 win against the Saudis, but the occasion was tarnished by a distasteful banner, which read ‘my captain has Italian blood’.

That was interpreted by the striker as a dig at him, given he was born to Ghanaian parents and could take the Azzurri’s armband one day.

“We’re in 2018 guys, enough! Wake up! Please!” wrote the Nice No 9 in an Instagram story after the friendly.

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