Mario Balotelli appears to have responded to Roberto Mancini’s remarks that he won’t be called up for international duty any longer.
Since it is believed that Italy’s strike situation is dire, the two have been reading subtle jabs over the past few weeks.
Injuries to his strikers prompted Mancini to call up little-known Mateo Retegui, an Argentine player, during the most recent international break.
The head coach then whined that the nation was short on strikers, forcing Balotelli to volunteer his services.
The last time the former Manchester City striker was called up was in 2018 and from Mancini’s latest comments, he won’t be getting another call-up anytime soon.
Speaking during an event in Italy, as quoted by Sports Bible, the tactician was asked about Balotelli’s chances to which he said: “I think that chapter is closed.” Balotelli responds.
Mario Balotelli posted these two Instagram stories after Roberto Mancini said the striker’s chapter with Italy is ‘closed’.👀🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/S3Z4EiWzYG
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 4, 2023
Balotelli then took to his Instagram stories and uploaded two cryptic posts.
The first one was his own emoji laughing, while the second one bore the message; “You don’t become king by chasing the queen; you become king by chasing the crown.”
The two have previously worked together at Manchester City.
Italy will be looking to defend their Euro crown in Germany next year after missing out on World Cup last year.
Balotelli currently plays for Swiss side Sion FC.
Balotelli contradicts Mancini Sports Brief had earlier reported that there is certainly no love lost between Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini as the former Manchester City striker openly disputed the coach’s recent claims about Italy’s attacking options.
Balotelli, 32, took to Instagram to make clear his feelings after Mancini appeared to bemoan the apparent lack of strikers in the Italy team.
In the wake of Italy’s 2-1 defeat to England in the UEFA European Championship, Mancini said his side was struggling in the attacking department.