Mario Balotelli has been recalled
from the wilderness by new Italy coach Roberto Mancini for
upcoming friendlies against Saudi Arabia, France and the
Netherlands.
Nice striker Balotelli, 27, last played for the national team
almost four years ago.
Balotelli last played for Italy in the 2014 World Cup, where
the Azzurri were knocked out in the group stage.
He was then called up by Antonio Conte in November of that
year but was forced to withdraw from the squad with injury.
At Euro 2012, Balotelli's goals helped Italy reach the final.
He had scored 13 in 33 appearances for the Azzurri and at 27
is coming off a strong season, which has seen him score 26 in
all competitions.
Mancini, who gave Balotelli his first-team start at Inter
Milan and then worked with him at Manchester City, was confirmed
as Italy's new coach a week ago, hours after leaving Zenit St.
Petersburg by mutual consent.
He has promised a "rebirth" of the Azzurri after their
failure to reach the World Cup.
Also plucked back out of the wilderness by Mancini was Simone
Zaza, who lost his place after an embarrassing penalty miss
against Germany at the Euro 2016 quarterfinals.
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