MARIO BALOTELLI has been described as selfish and a prima donna just days after he was cut from Italy's European Championship squad.
In an astonishing attack on the AC Milan striker, left out this week by head coach Antonio Conte, Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci claimed the troubled Balotelli only had himself to blame for being deemed not good enough to be part of the Azzurri's attempt to win the European Championship in France.
Scotland will take on Conte's talented side at the Ta'Qali Stadium, Malta on Sunday in a match which should be a good test for both sets of players for very different reasons.
And Bonucci is happy that Serie's A sulky striker, who is not wanted by Milan or parent club Liverpool, won't be around, although he was disappointed there was no room for Andrea Prilo whose decision to play in the MLS has cost him the opportunity of playing one final major tournament.
“Andrea is not up for discussion, he’s football personified,” Bonucci said. "It’s normal that when you make choices you know what the consequences could be. I’m sorry, because he’s a great guy in the dressing room, and he’s funny, contrary to the what he transmits on the outside.
“As for Mario, it was always in his hands. He had to be smart and understand where he had to change, and unfortunately he hasn’t yet done so.
“He would only be important if he came here knowing that the team has to be put before the individual. There’s no time for prima donnas here, we have to make ourselves available.
“If he understood we need tanks who sacrifice themselves for their team-mates rather than prima donnas, he’d be one of the best strikers in the world. I say that in the hope it triggers something inside him and him and he can use his gifts to achieve personal satisfaction and rediscover this shirt.”
Conte has said he wants his players to "dream of something that is wonderful and achievable," and Bonucci believes Italy can do well despite their current team coming into the tournament far from favourites.
“We’re a group of great people as well as great players," said Bonucci. "Our goal is to continue to work in the best way. We’ll put our mentality at the disposal of the squad. With the national team we’re in the second or third row on the grid. If we have a low ranking then there’s a reason.
“We have to work, stay humble and see where we can go. We start without being favourites, which means we can continue our path of growth right up to the Euros and under the radar. It’s up to us to ensure that Italy can offer a pleasant surprise.”
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