Italy star defends Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli from journalists

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Mario Balotelli’s Italy recall has resulted in plenty of attention, frustrating his international colleagues.

Mario Balotelli has long attracted far more attention than his team-mates wherever he has played.

When Liverpool signed him, we knew that would almost certainly be the case.

However, it’s fair to say that sometimes the additional spotlight isn’t always justified by the press, who seemingly follow Balotelli around – more in hope of a story than reporting on one.

It’s an issue that gripes with AC Milan full back Mattia De Sciglio, who became frustrated in his Italy team press conference at the amount of Balotelli questions thrown his way.

“Mario is a player who like all of us has been given the opportunity to show his worth,” De Sciglio is quoted as saying by Football Italia.

“You need to leave him alone.

“He’s always in the spotlight because of his unique character, but he’s a good guy, he’s very easy-going and calm with us.

“On the pitch he has the quality to come back and prove people wrong.”

Balotelli has just been recalled by Italy for the first time since the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when he scored the winner against England.

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