Cult hero Mario Balotelli has given his evaluation of the present Italy nationwide group and has highlighted one space the place Gennaro Gattuso and his employees might discover a problem: ‘I don’t prefer it’.
Balotelli was among the many visitor audio system on the Competition dello Sport in Trento this weekend, together with the likes of , , and .
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Balotelli on Italy nationwide group: ‘Lack of want, I don’t prefer it’
The 35-year-old, who most not too long ago turned out for Genoa in 2024-25, took to the stage on Sunday and gave his sincere evaluation of the present crop of Italy gamers.
He feels that the present Italy squad doesn’t have the identical ‘want’ to put on the Azzurri shirt that had been a given in years passed by.
Mario Balotelli watches the celebrations after the UEFA Champions League last soccer match between Inter Milan and Manchester Metropolis on the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, on June 10, 2023. (Photograph by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photograph by FRANCK FIFE/AFP through Getty Photos)
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“For me, the nationwide group is an enormous speaking level. This isn’t an assault on anybody, however a whole lot of occasions, I see gamers play for the nationwide group with out that want to defend the nation’s jersey, and I don’t prefer it,” Balotelli stated, (through ).
“After I was within the nationwide group, I used to be proud to signify Italy, and that is what’s lacking for me.”
Balotelli was additionally requested if he feels that he’s the final ‘true’ centre-forward to signify Italy internationally, to which he replied: “That’s what they inform me.”
There should be hope for Italy’s placing division, with younger skills Fracesco Pio Esposito and Francesco Camarda starting to interrupt by means of.
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On Esposito, Balotelli stated: “He’s very robust, it’s nice that he scored (in opposition to Estonia).” And, on Camarda, he added: “These are robust gamers, you may see they’ve a lot of expertise and high quality, however it’s essential to give them time.”
And on whether or not Italy will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Balotelli stated: ‘However in fact, come on, I’m satisfied that we’ll get to this one.”