London: Italy’s national team boss Cesare Prandelli has warned Mario Balotelli against wrecking his own career, saying that the Manchester City madcap must take a long hard look at himself to save his career.
Prandelli gave the dire wake-up call as he believes his front-line striker is at a crossroads where one more wrong turn could lead to ruin.
“Everything depends on Mario. Coaches can stimulate you. But everything starts with him, and it is up to him to decide what he is to become,” the Daily Mirror quoted Prandelli, as saying.
He also hinted the wayward striker must consider a return home to ensure he gets back on the right track towards the level that saw him star at last summer’s European Championship, the Daily Mirror reports.
“I think what is most important is he has continuity in his play – he needs to play games and not be out of the team. If he listens to Mancini then he can play games in Manchester, it is not a problem of city or country,” Prandelli said.
“But it is a problem of Mario. It must come with his own decisions, and he must decide he wants to play football, and listen to his coaches,” he added.
According to the paper, it is understood the feeling among the City hierarchy, coaching staff and even playing squad is it is a more harmonious group with Balotelli not around, and only the manager’s dissenting voice in opposition to that view has kept him there.
But with relations set to get even worse with tomorrow’s tribunal over fines imposed for his three red cards last season, it seems there is no way back with even Mancini accepting he cannot save the striker, which paves the way for a loan deal, the paper said.
Prandelli also appeared to suggest that he could help the player save himself and his international career, by escaping what has become a perpetually turbulent environment in Manchester, the paper added.
ANI
First Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 14:13