Sports

Mario Balotelli recalled to Italy squad

Published

3 years ago

January 24, 2022

Mario Balotelli has been recalled to the Italian national team by Italy coach Roberto Mancini since his last appearance in 2018..

The Italian football team, on Monday, made the announcement on its official Twitter account, as it announced the 35-man squad selected for a special training camp at their Coverciano base.

This training is in anticipation of March’s World Cup qualifying playoffs against North Macedonia and then potentially Portugal or Turkey

“Balotelli returns alongside seven new names,” the Italian football team said.

Among the seven new call-ups are uncapped Lazio defender Luiz Felipe and Cagliari forward Joao Pedro, who are both naturalised Brazilians.

Balotelli, 31, has appeared for Italy at two major tournaments. At Euro 2012, his two goals earned a 2-1 victory over Germany in the semifinal, while he was part of the Italy side which crashed out at the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.

He made his first appearance for the Italy senior team in 2010, as part of the squad announced by new head coach Cesare Prandelli, in a friendly match against the Ivory Coast, Italy’s first match after the 2010 World Cup.