 After a lacklustre season with Milan, he was omitted from Conte's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016.After Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Balotelli was expected to be called up by caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio for Italy's March 2018 friendlies, after the replacement of Gian Piero Ventura.However, Balotelli was officially omitted from the squad on 17 March 2018.