Andrea Pirlo warns Mario Balotelli

ANDREA PIRLO has warned Mario Balotelli: you have no more time to waste.

The 25-year-old has been told by Jurgen Klopp that he won’t be in his plans for the upcoming season.

Having failed to hit the ground running during his debut season at Anfield, Balotelli was loaned out to AC Milan last term.

But the Italian didn’t do enough to impress Klopp and now looks set to be shipped out.

And Pirlo, while being complimentary of Balotelli’s character, is frustrated his former Italy team-mate has wasted his opportunities on the pitch.

“He frustrates me, but I do have so much affection for Mario,” the New York City midfielder told The Mirror.

“He is infectious to be around. When I used to see him walk into training for Italy, he would have this big smile on his face – and I would just burst out laughing – and start wondering what is he thinking, what is he up to?

“Mario should not just be a character the media write about for good stories. We shouldn’t forget what a special player he is.

“I have played with some of the best strikers, and I can tell you Mario has all the attributes to be one of the best strikers in the world.

“By now I thought that is where he would be, that is where he should be. He has no more time to waste.”

Category: Football