Mario Balotelli Fires Back at Roberto Mancini in Cryptic Post Amid Italy Striking Problems

• Italy coach Roberto Mancini has effectively ended Mario Balotelli's international future
• Mancini has reiterated that he does not intend to call his former striker up for the country
• Balotelli fired back at the Azzurri manager by uploading telling posts onto social media

Roberto Mancini's comments that Mario Balotelli will no longer be called up for international duty has seemingly provoked a reaction from the striker.

The two have been reading subtle jabs over the past few weeks, with Italy's striking situation understood to be dire.

In the recent international break, Mancini called up little-known Mateo Retegui, who plays in Argentina, following injuries to his strikers.

The coach then complained that the country had a shortage of strikers, forcing Balotelli to offer himself up.

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The last time the former Manchester City striker was called up was in 2018 and from Mancini's latest comments, he won't be getting another call-up anytime soon.

Speaking during an event in Italy, as quoted by Sports Bible, the tactician was asked about Balotelli's chances to which he said:

"I think that chapter is closed."

Balotelli responds to Mancini

Balotelli then took to his Instagram stories and uploaded two cryptic posts. The first one was a laughing emoji bearing his likeness, while the second one bore the message:

"You don't become king by chasing the queen; you become king by chasing the crown."

The two have previously worked together at Man City. Balotelli currently plays for Sion FC in Switzerland.

Italy will be looking to defend their Euro crown in Germany next year after missing out on the World Cup last year.

Balotelli contradicts Mancini

Sports Brief previously reported there being no love lost between Balotelli and Mancini, as the former Man City striker openly disputed the coach’s recent claims.

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The 32-year-old took to Instagram to make clear his feelings after the manager appeared to bemoan the apparent lack of strikers in the Italian national team.

In the wake of Italy’s defeat to England in the UEFA European Championship, Mancini said his side was struggling in the attack, prompting Balotelli's reaction.