Lippi: Balotelli did not deserve World Cup call

Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi has revealed why he did not take Mario Balotelli to the 2010 World Cup.

Italy were dumped out of the tournament in South Africa at the group stages and Lippi subsequently left his post upon the Azzurri’s return home.

The domination witnessed in Germany 2006 failed to materialise four years later and questions were asked of Lippi’s decisions.

Some of those doubts still remain and Lippi has now offered reasons as to why he reached his conclusions over selection back then, including the omission of then-Inter Milan forward Balotelli.

“Balotelli? I said in South Africa that he would have a future with the national team, but I never picked him because he did not deserve a call,” Lippi told Sky Sport Italia of the Manchester City striker.

“He could not even do well for the Under-21 side at the time. But now he has improved and he can become the focal point for Cesare Prandelli.”

Lippi, still without a role in football after leaving his post with Italy, believes Prandelli’s current generation will go far at Euro 2012.

“I like this team as it reminds me of the spirit of the group I had before World Cup 2006,” he said.