Back to the International Newsfeed

Bonucci praises Balotelli for his maturity

Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci said Mario Balotelli has changed as the forward prepares to end his four-year international exile.

Balotelli has not appeared for Italy since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, having been overlooked by former bosses Antonio Conte, Gian Piero Ventura and caretaker Luigi Di Biagio.

But the eccentric former Manchester City, Inter, AC Milan and Liverpool frontman is back in the Italy fold, recalled by new head coach Roberto Mancini after scoring 43 goals in two seasons at Ligue 1 side Nice.

As Italy prepare to face Saudi Arabia on Monday, France (June 1) and Netherlands (June 4), Bonucci praised the 27-year-old for his maturity.