Football
ESPN staff 7y

Mario Balotelli's next Italy call-up 'only a matter of time' - Gianfranco Zola

Former Italy international Gianfranco Zola says it's only a matter of time before Mario Balotelli returns to the Azzurri setup.

Balotelli, whose seven goals in nine league games has led Nice to the Ligue 1 summit this season, has not played for his country since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The former Inter Milan and Manchester City man is currently sidelined with a calf injury. However, Zola told Omnisport another call-up for his country is inevitable.

"It seems to me that he is working very well and I wish that he can maintain and sustain that level of performance for much longer," Zola said.

"If he does that I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before he is back in the national team."

Italy manager Giampiero Ventura has admitted to monitoring the the 26-year-old's progress in France, and it's been Balotelli's mentality that has impressed him the most. 

"With Balo it has never been a matter of his ability but it has been a matter of how well he can handle himself," added Zola.

"Whether or not he's going to be called into the national team is not down to me -- it will be down to Ventura in this case.

"But I'm delighted that he is finding the balance that allows his qualities to come through."

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