Mario Balotelli’s agent fumes with Italy snub

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Player agent Mino Raiola has expressed his disappointment in his player Mario Balotelli not being called-up for international duty.

Balotelli, 27, is currently enjoying a stable and prolific season with Ligue 1 outfit Nice whom he joined as a free agent in August 2016.

As a consequence of his performances many expected interim Italy boss Luigi Di Biagio to select him for their upcoming friendlies against Argentina and England, but he was a notable omission, which perplexed Balotelli’s agent Raiola.

“We’re disappointed with the failure to call-up Balotelli,” Raiola told Radio 24, via Football Italia.

“We’re even more disappointed with the explanation we received, publicly because we haven’t spoken to anyone.

“If Di Biagio says that numbers don’t count for a striker then the national team is closed for players like him.”

Balotelli the Azzurri

Balotelli’s last cap, his 33rd appearance for the four-time world champions, was against Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup.

It was Italy’s last match at that summer’s tournament, and the final match overseen by manager Cesare Prandelli, as they were dumped out of the group stages.

Balotelli would struggle to win over Prandelli’s successors Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Ventura due to his form and lack of playing time at club level. NaijaBet.com

It’s now nearly eight years since Balotelli’s debut against Ivory Coast and the Palermo-born marksman has so far registered 13 goals for his country, including a brace against Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.

Italy play Argentina away on Friday before playing England on Tuesday at Wembley. NaijaBet.com