Mario Balotelli Must Show He Wants To Wear Italy Shirt – Antonio Conte

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Sunday, 2nd November, 2014



Italy coach Antonio Conte has told Mario Balotelli that he must earn a recall to the national team.

Conte has not called Balotelli for Azzurri duty since he took charge in the summer, succeeding Cesare Prandelli after the World Cup.

Balotelli joined Liverpool in the summer transfer window and has struggled at Anfield, failing to score in the Premier League.

And Conte is adamant that the former AC Milan hitman, who disappointed at the World Cup, must earn a recall.

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"The call-up must be earned", the former Juventus boss told Sky Italia.

"There is no barrier against anyone, but each call must be justified.

"The important thing is that those who are called to the national team show that they want to wear the shirt."

Conte also brushed off talk that at the summer's World Cup Balotelli was an outcast.

"I'm not interested in getting into past issues", he said.

"That said, I've always told my players that we win as a team."

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