Mario Balotelli claims he should be back in the Italy team at 33 – FIVE YEARS after earning his last cap – as he hits out at strikers for not taking enough shots

• Balotelli last played for Italy in a 1-1 Nations League draw against Poland in 2018 
• The ex-Man City striker is currently with Turkish top-flight side Adana Demirspor
• IAN LADYMAN: I want to take the audio of this stricken referee into every Premier league training ground this week – Listen to the horrible story on IAKO

Mario Balotelli has hit out at Italy’s current crop of strikers, insisting he considers himself ‘the strongest’ as he bids for an unlikely national team recall ahead of next summer’s European Championship. 

The 33-year-old has not featured for the Azzurri since their 1-1 Nations League draw with Poland in September 2018. 

Since then the former Manchester City striker has had spells with Nice, Marseille, Brescia, Monza, Sion and is currently in his second stint with Turkish top-flight outfit Adana Demirspor. 

Balotelli famously netted twice in Italy’s semi-final victory over Germany at Euro 2012, and days after witnessing his country secure qualification to next summer’s tournament under new coach Luciano Spalletti, he was keen to ensure his name had not been forgotten in selection picture. 

‘If I’m well, I still consider myself the strongest,’ he told TvPlay via Calciomercato.com. ‘Did [Giacomo] Raspadori and [Gianluca] Scamacca play yesterday? How many shots did they take combined? Two? I want to recover and play for the national team.

Former Man City forward Mario Balotelli believes that he is still the best striking option for Italy 

Balotelli hit out at Giacomo Raspadori (left) and Gianluca Scamacca (right) who have seven international goals between them

Italy secured qualification to the 2024 European Championship after a draw on Monday night

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Balotelli was a star man for Italy in their run to the final of the European Championship in 2012

‘I always hope for the call. I met Spalletti and I’ve met him several times. We made some jokes when we met in a friendly with Napoli, but I have no relationship.’

Italy will have the chance to defend their crown after booking their place at EURO 2024 with a controversial 0-0 draw against Ukraine. Under former Napoli boss Spalletti, the side have recorded three wins from six games and have bounced back from the disappointment of failing to reach last year’s World Cup. 

But despite improvements the side lack quality in attack, with none of their current squad boasting more than eight international goals. Raspadori top scores among the forwards with just six. 

Balotelli by contrast has 14 to his name from 36 appearances and has begun his second spell in Adana positively with three goals from five games. 

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