Kathmandu, January 25
Forward Mario Balotelli has returned to the Italian team after almost four years. Balotelli is in the Italian squad for the World Cup playoff semifinals.
Coach Roberto Mancini has been named in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia. Balotelli is one of the 35 players called up by Mancini for the three-day camp.
Balotelli, 31, a former Manchester City and Liverpool player, has not played for Italy since
September 2018.
Balotelli, who plays for Turkish club Edna Demirspor, scored eight goals in 18 league games and was named in the squad.
Balotelli, who made his Italian national team debut in 2010, has scored 14 goals in 36 games for Italy. But since the 2014 World Cup, he has played only three games for Italy.
Balotelli has previously worked with coach Man City at Inter Milan and Manchester City.
By Karuna Thapa
