Italy boss Antonio Conte has told misfiring Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli that he will not earn a recall to the international scene on reputation.
Balotelli is yet to represent his country under Conte and has found himself omitted from the last two Azzurri squads, with Southampton hitman Graziano Pelle preferred to him.
The 24-year-old has struck just twice in 12 games since sealing a £16m move to Anfield from AC Milan, and the Azzurri coach warns that he will continue to be overlooked unless his form picks up.
"Call-ups have to be earned and deserved. I am not ruling anyone out, but every call-up has to be justified," Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
"The important thing is that whoever plays for the Nazionale proves they want this shirt.
"Was Balotelli a separate entity at the World Cup? I am not interested in getting into these issues of the past. Having said that, I always tell my players that you win as a team."
The former Inter Milan starlet has scored 13 times in 33 appearances for his country.
Shane Callaghan
