26 January 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
Sports Writer
Former Manchester city forward Mario Balloteli has beenbup called for international duty by Italy ahead of World Cup play offs.
Balloteli made 36 appearances for Italy scoring 14 goals for his country.
Mario Balloteli has not been playing for Italy in the past three years, he became a surprise selection by the national team coach Roberto Mancini.
The 31-year-old Balotelli was one of several surprise call ups including Brazil-born Joao Pedro, now an Italian citizen, who was recently cleared to play for Italy. Mancini intends to take advantage of the three day camp at the national training centre at Coverciano, near Florence, ahead of tricky play-offs in late-March against North Macedonia and, in the case of victory, either Portugal or Turkey.
Balotelli scored regularly for Nice for two seasons in France prior to a short spell with Marseille before moving swiftly on to Brescia back in Italy and then Monza in Italy’s Serie B.
He previously played for both Milan clubs (Inter Milan and AC Milan), winning three league titles with Inter Milan, but disciplinary problems have dogged much of his career though he starred for Italy in Euro 2012, that season he also won the Premier League with Manchester City.
Juventus player Federico Chiesa was left out due to injury whereas Chelsea midfielder Jorginho and Paris Saint-German player Marco Verratti were all left out of the selection.
Cagliari striker Pedro, another former Brazilian, Lazio Roma defender Luiz Felipe, who has also gained Italian nationality, have also been called up.