Mario Balotelli Responds To Giorgio Chiellini's Heavy Criticism

After Giorgio Chiellini branded Mario Balotelli a 'negative person with no respect', the striker has now responded with some harsh words of his own.

Chiellini was promoting his new autobiography where he labelled Balotelli and Felipo Melo as the two teammates who let him down.

"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," La Repubblica newspaper.

The Juventus star claims Balotelli lacked respect during Italy's 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign, where the nation finished third.

Click through the gallery to see 10 players who have lied about their age

Gourav Mukhi (India) – claimed to be 16 years old, but was 28 years old

Tobie Mimboe (Senegal) – caught age-cheating on numerous occasions

Carlos Alberto (Brazil) – claimed to be five years younger than he was

Fortune Chukwudi (Nigeria) – was overage when playing for Nigeria at the U17 FIFA World Cup in 2009

Angel Cheme (Ecuador) – claimed to be three years younger than he was, also lied about his real name

Seuntjie Motlhajwa (South Africa) – claimed to be two years younger than he actually was

Sibusiso Mzizi (South Africa) – used a fake passport to lie about his age by five years

Yusupha Yaffa (Gambia) – claimed to be 19 years old, but was alleged to be 28 years old

Guirane N’Daw (Senegal) – admitted to lying about his age after he retired

Meschack Elia (DR Congo) – admitted to lying about his age

Balotelli wasted no time in responding to his former teammate on Instagram.

"At least I have the honesty and courage to say things to people's faces," Balotelli said in an Instagram Story.

"You had so many opportunities to do that since 2013, to behave like a real man, but you didn't do it. Who knows what you'll say one day about your current teammates, you strange captain…

"If this means being a champion, then I prefer not to be one. And I never showed a lack of respect towards the Azzurri jersey."

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