Balotelli Snubbed Again by Italy as Questions Over Form Persist
By BBC News Staff
Mario Balotelli’s troubled relationship with the Italian national team has taken another hit, as head coach Antonio Conte has again left the striker out of his squad for Italy’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
This marks the second consecutive omission for the 24-year-old forward, who has struggled to find form since his summer move to Liverpool. Balotelli has managed just a single goal this season — against Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the Champions League — a statistic that has done little to convince either Conte or his club manager, Brendan Rodgers.
Conte’s decision is seen as a clear message: reputation alone is no longer enough. The former Juventus manager, known for his discipline and tactical rigidity, has opted instead to reward form and work ethic — calling up Southampton’s in-form striker Graziano Pellé for the first time. The 29-year-old has made a strong start in the Premier League with four goals in six matches, outperforming Balotelli both statistically and in terms of consistency.
Back at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers has also publicly challenged the Italian to deliver more on the pitch. “In terms of goals, he has to do better. It’s as simple as that,” Rodgers said bluntly, reflecting the growing pressure on Balotelli to justify his place in the starting XI.
Despite his undeniable talent, Balotelli has long been a polarising figure in world football. Known as much for his off-pitch controversies as for his moments of brilliance, the former AC Milan and Manchester City striker has often found himself at odds with coaches and media alike. His inconsistent performances and perceived lack of discipline have led to frequent exclusions from international duty — a far cry from the player who once lit up Euro 2012 with a memorable brace against Germany in the semi-finals.
Balotelli’s continued absence from the Azzurri setup raises questions about his international future under Conte, who is clearly building a squad based on current form, reliability, and team cohesion — attributes Balotelli has struggled to consistently embody.
With Italy focused on qualifying comfortably for Euro 2016, Conte appears determined to look beyond big names in favour of dependable performers. For Balotelli, the message is clear: unless his form improves significantly — and soon — his place in the national team is anything but guaranteed.
