Balotelli back in Italy squad but 'negative' star may have to win over old teammates

The striker, who worked under Azzurri coach Mancini earlier in his career at Inter Milan and Man City, has not featured for the national team since September 2018.

But the 31-year-old earned a recall for this week's three-day training camp after scoring eight goals in 18 league games to fire Adana Demirspor to fourth place in the Turkish Super Lig.

The centre-forward starred in Italy's run to the Euro 2012 final, memorably scoring twice and ripping off his shirt in a 2-1 semi-final win over Germany.

He has a record of 14 goals in 36 games for his country but has earned only three caps since the 2014 World Cup.

During that time, he played with legendary centre-back Giorgio Chiellini.

However, the Juventus man said in his recent autobiography that Balotelli 'deserved a slap' for his attitude at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

The defender added: "Balotelli is a negative person with no respect for the team."

Balotelli hit back to hearing those remarks, stating on Instagram: "At least I have the sincerity and courage to say things face to face.

"You've had plenty of opportunities since 2013 to behave like a real man but you didn't."

The pair have since reconciled after appearing on Italian TV show Le Iene together.

Chiellini was presented with a signed shirt from Balotelli, with a message on it saying: "Even if you unexpectedly stabbed me in the back, I still love you, man."

The veteran also admitted he felt he had to include criticism of the striker in his book, but went too far.

He said: "I was undecided whether to put [criticism] in, but not saying anything is bad, it seemed to me to be false and hypocritical. I take full responsibility.

"I made a mistake and I learned from it and will continue to learn from my mistakes every day."

Mancini has spoken fondly of Balotelli over the years, but the experienced coach has also been driven to despair by the striker on and off the pitch - like so many others.

He is certainly not alone, with Balotelli falling out with a number of ex-teammates during his career, one of them being former Nice player Dante who was unhappy with the striker's behaviour following his arrival from Liverpool.

"It's up to him to step up and take charge in attack, to take on some responsibility," said Dante back in 2018.

"He's not in great shape physically, we know that, but it's up to him to work and train to improve his fitness levels. At some point, he simply has to take control of the situation.

"There's no point blaming the team and saying we don't get the best out of his qualities. No! There were times when the team didn't play so well and I defended them, but we must always be self-critical and question ourselves at every turn to make sure we're doing our best."

Controversy still appears to follow Balotelli, with the striker landing himself in hot water last year by punching a teammate in Turkey after he was substituted during a game.

It led to Mancini commenting about how 'disappointing' it was to watch his career spiral downwards, although the manager has now given Balotelli his latest chance to prove his doubters wrong with his return to the Italy fold.

"I worked with Balotelli when he was young and did really well," Mancini said in September 2021.

"He was and still is in terms of technique a great player. Let's not forget he is 31 years old, so ought to be at his peak.

"Clearly, it was disappointing for all of us who knew him as a person and a player that in the last five or six years he was unable to do what he was capable of doing."

Italy's first-choice striker Ciro Immobile scored twice during their triumphant Euro 2020 campaign last summer.

But the Lazio man's performances for the Azzurri have not always impressed, leading to a long-running debate over whether Balotelli should be brought back into the fold.

The former Man City and Liverpool man now has the chance to impress again for his national team.

And, whatever happens, there'll be fireworks…