Mario Balotelli is about to make his first start for Italy in a major tournament and the expectations could not be higher.

No other player in Italy’s team has the combination of talent and physical prowess that Balotelli possesses, which could be just what the Azzurri need in their European Championship opener against Spain on Sunday.

As Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon puts it: ‘There’s nothing to discuss about Mario in terms of football because he’s a pure talent — one of the few players who can make you win matches.’

Big night: Mario Balotelli could make his international tournament debut against Spain

But coach Cesare Prandelli says Balotelli, the victim of racist abuse after the Italians’ visit to Auschwitz, needs to improve his teamwork, adding this ‘could be the key to success’ for him.

Balotelli, who also suffered racial taunting when he played in Serie A for Inter Milan, has said he will walk off the pitch if he is subjected to monkey chanting from fans.

The Italy manager said: ‘We have asked Mario and all the players to be generous and play for the team. Balotelli has behaved in a proper way in the last few weeks but he has to be aware that if he plays for the team, this could be the right option.’

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