Former Italy forwards Antonio Cassano and Luca Toni have waded into the war of words between Giorgio Chiellini, Mario Balotelli and Felipe Melo.
Juventus defender Chiellini caused a stir on Saturday when excerpts from an upcoming autobiography were published in the Italian media.
Chiellini said that Balotelli “deserved a slap” for his conduct on international duty with Italy and labelled Melo “the worst of the worst, a rotten apple.”
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Both players hit back almost immediately. Melo fondly recalled ‘slapping Juventus out of the Champions League’ with Galatasaray, while Balotelli replied: “At least I have the sincerity and courage to say things face to face.