Samuel Eto'o has told Inter Milan firebrand Mario Balotelli to remember he is playing a team sport.

Eto'o says it's time for Balotelli to respect his senior teammates.

"The squad comes before everything and everyone else," declared Eto'o.

"Balotelli is young and I like him a great deal, but in this situation we have to think of the good of the whole team.

"If he wants to be a part of it then I'd be happy, but he needs to take the first step. I am 10 years older than Mario and have much more experience.

"In the locker room we have people like Javier Zanetti, Francesco Toldo and Marco Materazzi, who always try to talk to him. It's time to end it with this controversy, as Mario must understand the words of those who have more experience than he does."