Mario Balotelli has revealed that it hurt to watch the Italian national side win the UEFA European Championship without him.
Balotelli has received his first call-up since 2018 after being included in Italy's 35-man squad for a special training camp ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.
The 31-year-old was pleased the Azzurri walked away with the European title, but has now claimed they would have had an easier run in the competition if he was playing.
"This team won the Euros without me, so they fully deserved it. Surely, had I been fit to play the Euros, we would have won more easily."
Balotelli also opened up about his relationship with Azzurri manager Roberto Mancini, whom he also worked under at Manchester City.
"I love Roberto Mancini too much and he doesn't deserve anything similar to what happened in the past," he added.
"We talk sometimes, he keeps telling me to work hard trying to improve in some aspects."
