MARIO BALOTELLI hit back at Giorgio Chiellini after the defender revealed his compatriot is a “negative person” who “really did deserve a slap” in his new book.
The Juventus hero, 35, publishes his autobiography Io, Giorgio next week with profits going to charity.
Mario Balotelli was not afraid to fire back at Giorgio Chiellini after the defender revealed he wanted to slap his compatriot
But in an interview with La Repubblica ahead of the release, the centre-back has been typically bullish and held no punches as he slammed Balotelli and Brazilian Felipe Melo.
Chiellini has 103 Italy caps to his name, making his debut way back in 2004, while the ex-Manchester City and Liverpool striker has scored 14 international goals in 36 games across the past decade.
They played together at the 2012 Euros as well as the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
But it was his antics at the Confederations Cup in the year in between that stuck with Chiellini, despite the fact his team-mate scored twice on their way to a third-place finish.
Chiellini said: “I was really let down by two players and I confirm everything I wrote in the book.
“Balotelli is a negative person, with no respect for the group. During the Confederations Cup against Brazil in 2013, he didn’t lend a helping hand for anything, he really did deserve a slap.
“Some people thought he was among the top five strikers in the world, but I never even considered him in the top ten or 20.”
Never one to shy away from controversy, Balotelli refused to be walked over and was quick to have his say, blasting Chiellini for his alleged cowardice.
The Brescia forward, 29, replied: “At least I have the sincerity and the courage to say things in the face.
“Since 2013 you would have had many opportunities to do it, behaving like a real man, but you have not done it and if this means being a champion, then I prefer not be.”
There was someone worse, Felipe Melo: really the worst of the worst. With him around, it was permanently likely to break out into a brawl. He is a bad apple.
Giorgio Chiellini on Felipe Melo
Chiellini, though, saved his worse criticism for Melo, describing the ex-Juventus midfielder as the “worst of the worst” and a “bad apple”.
He brutally slammed the player who spent two years with him at the Old Lady and added: “There was someone worse, Felipe Melo: really the worst of the worst.
“I cannot abide people who lack respect, those who always want to be contrarians.
“With him around, it was permanently likely to break out into a brawl. I told the directors that, too: he is a bad apple.”
The combative midfielder, who admitted he would have been a murderer if it was not for football, also had his say in response.
He fired back at the defender: “Sorry but it is too easy to talk badly about others with a book.
“Maybe ‘this defender’ is still angry with me because, when I went to Galatasaray, we slapped them.”
Melo now plays his club football for Palmeiras in his homeland but Chiellini – who adds that he “can’t help but hate Inter Milan” – has no qualms about having to go up against Balotelli when Serie A football does return.
He added: “I hold no ill-will, nor do I have any need for it. If I need to share something with these players, I will do so.
“I am not everyone’s best friend, but they are the only two who went beyond all acceptable limits.
“As far as I am concerned, the problem is not if you play badly or have a few nights out, but if you show a lack of respect and have nothing inside of you. Once can happen, but not if it’s a recurring theme.”
Neither Balotelli or Felipe Melo have earned reputations as cool and calm customers on the football pitchCredit: AFP
Balotelli shows off incredible skills on rooftop deck as ex-Man City and Liverpool star deals with strict Italy lockdown
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
