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Mario Balotelli appears to have taken aim at Italy manager Roberto Mancini, after posting two cryptic messages to his Instagram account on Monday evening.
The posts came after Italy national team manager Mancini - who previously coached the Italian forward during his stint at Manchester City - claimed that Balotelli's time with the Azzurri is a 'closed chapter'.
Speaking at an FIGC event on Monday, Mancini suggested that he will not be considering Balotelli for the national side, despite having a wealth of forwards absent due to injury:
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"I think that chapter is closed," said Mancini after being asked whether he would consider recalling the FC Sion forward.
However it appears as though Balotelli isn't taking no for an answer, as he posted two cryptic messages to his Instagram account on Monday evening, which appear to be aimed at his former manager.
The first featured Balotelli's cartoon avatar laughing, before following up with a video that read "you don't become king by chasing the queen; you become king by chasing the crown."
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It isn't the first time that Balotelli has used his social media accounts in an attempt to force his way back into the national team plans, after he sent an indirect message to Mancini following his complaints of a lack of fit forwards prior to the recent international break.
However, despite his best efforts, it looks as though Mario will be left waiting on a first international call up since 2018, with Mancini all but closing the door on a call-up while he is in charge of the side.
The relationship between Mancini and Balotelli has suffered its fair share of ups and downs over the years, with perhaps the most famous moment coming during Manchester City's 2011 pre-season tour of the United States.
City took to the Home Depot Center to take on LA Galaxy and, with Mancini's side leading 1-0 thanks to an early Balotelli penalty, they had a glorious opportunity to double their lead after David Silva slipped the Italian forward through on goal.
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However a moment of Balotelli madness ensued, as the Italian bizarrely attempted to showboat and saw an outrageous effort trickle wide.
A raging Mancini decided that he had seen enough, hooking the forward in place of James Milner before telling Balotelli exactly what he thought of his embarrassing attempt on goal.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Mario Balotelli, Italy, Roberto Mancini
