A familiar face in football is set to make his much awaited comeback to international football; The one and only Mario Balotelli.
The current Adana Demirspor striker could write another chapter in his international career, having last played for the Azzurri in September 2018 during the Nations League.
According to Sky Sports Italia, Roberto Mancini will call up 35 players to gather together on January 26 and 27, with the opportunity to impress and make the Italy squad for when they play their crucial World Cup playoff against North Macedonia in March.
Where is Balotelli now? :
Balotelli left Monza at the end of last season to join Turkish club Adana Demirspor, where he has scored nine goals from 21 games, including a goal in their latest Turkish Super Lig match on Saturday January 22nd.
The 31-year-old has made 36 international appearances, with 14 goals to his name. Of the current Italy players who are available, only Ciro Immobile has scored more.
After three and a half years away from the Italian national team, Balotelli has a great chance to convince Mancini that he's capable of playing a part in the Azzurri's road to the World Cup in Qatar.
For much of his career, Balotelli has failed to live up to his promise having been coached by some of the best managers in the world and played for the biggest clubs.
His last international goal came back in May 2018, in a 2-1 friendly win over Saudi Arabia.
It’s quite a turnaround for Balotelli, who has been linked with a surprise return to Premier League football, if reports from Turkey are to be believed.
Via Inside Futbol, the president of Adana Demirspor, Murat Sancak, has been quoted saying Newcastle have made contact with the club over a possible move for the striker, but no offer has been submitted yet.
Balotelli and Mancini have a long history, working together at Inter and Manchester City, and the Italian coach is known to be fond of the Palermo-born forward.
For Balotelli; He is looking good with Adana Demirspor, being quick and technical on the ball, taking a number of powerful shots from the edge of the box and involving his teammates in the play well.
Considering Italy’s struggles finding a consistent goalscorer, with Ciro Immobile failing to replicate his Lazio form with the Azzurri and Andrea Belotti currently out injured, now seems like a fair chance to give Balotelli another chance to shine for the national team again.