Nice striker Mario Balotelli has hit back at former Italy teammate Antonio Cassano after he suggested he was overrated in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday.
Cassano said that Balotelli had his agent Mino Raiola to thank for the opportunities he has been given, adding that the 26-year-old, as well as Paul Pogba and James Rodriguez, have all benefited from fortune.
"I do not think Pogba is worth €120 million, and Rodriguez is not worth €80m. If he was worth that much, what would be the value of [Andres] Iniesta at that age?" Cassano said.
"The same goes for Balotelli. I wish Mario the best, and he is doing well in France, but he and Pogba have been very lucky in life. They are managed by a very good agent, Mino Raiola, who gave them incredible opportunities."
Cassano, 34, is currently without a club after being released by Sampdoria in the winter. He spent the first few months of the season training with Samp's youth team after being told he had no future at the club last summer, but he has said he will be back next season.
Cassano and Balotelli were friends and roommates when they were together with Italy, but that no longer seems to be the case following the Nice man's response on Twitter to Cassano's comments.
���� è esploso il genio..��������.. proprio vero gli amici sono pochi e non a lavoro.
- Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) April 27, 2017
"The genius has exploded," Balotelli wrote. "It's true, you really do only have few friends, and none when it comes to work."
Former Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool striker Balotelli has scored 13 goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season, helping Nice to a surprise top-three finish and qualification for the Champions League next season.