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Former Liverpool and Manchester City star Mario Balotelli has slammed Italy players for competing "without that desire to defend the nation's jersey," as they look to secure a World Cup playoff berth against Israel on Tuesday.
Federico Chiesa is one of Italy's biggest stars, but he hasn't represented his country since last year's Euros. The Azzurri have been trailing Erling Haaland's Norway in Group I following a 3-0 loss in Oslo back in June.
And should Norway avoid defeat against Estonia at home next month, Italy will be unable to leapfrog them at the summit even with a final match victory over the Scandinavian side due to the team's significantly better goal difference.
Italy has fallen short in the playoffs to reach the previous two World Cups, while managing to overcome England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley, held in July 2021.
Success in Udine ought to secure second spot and another tense attempt to qualify for the World Cup.
However, Balotelli, who earned 36 caps, remarked: "For me, the national team is a big talking point.
"This isn't an attack on anyone, but a lot of times, I see players play for the national team without that desire to defend the nation's jersey, and I don't like it.
"When I was in the national team, I was proud to represent Italy - I wanted it at all costs and this is what's missing for me."
Norway, aiming to qualify for the country's first World Cup since 1998, further enhanced its goal difference with a 5-0 triumph over Israel.
Gennaro Gattuso has secured victories in all three matches since replacing Luciano Spalletti, but required a dramatic late strike from Sandro Tonali to overcome Israel 4-5 in a thrilling encounter in Hungary last month.
Balotelli hasn't featured since representing Genoa in Serie A during the previous campaign. However, speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento this weekend, the 35-year-old revealed: "One of my wishes is to play one more game with the national team.
"I have had offers from abroad, but I would like to stay in Italy. I am at a standstill, but I am good physically. We will see. "
Asked about his time with Manchester City, Balotelli said: "I was alone, a long way from home. The first time I faced life without my family. So you do some things right, some things less so. And I matured.
"The 'Why Always Me shirt?' I made it the afternoon before the game with the shopkeeper. In England, the press really exaggerated things with me."
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