Former World Cup winner Marco Tardelli says Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli should not be considered for this year's Italy squad.
Tardelli believes Balotelli is still much too young to carry the responsibility of a whole nation on his shoulders.
He said: "Mario is a great player. Lippi will decide, but reading that he has been involved in arguments with Mourinho over little playing time makes me reflect.
"Perhaps Mario is still not ready to accept the Coach's decisions and therefore the rules of the team. Anyway the first striker I would take to South Africa who is currently off the list is Marco Borriello.
"Then I would also find a place for Mario. He has great qualities. If Balotelli learns to put them at the service of the team he will became an absolute world-class player."