Italy coach Antonio Conte suggested that Mario Balotelli is more likely to be watching Euro 2016 on television than taking part in France next summer when replying to a picture the forward posted on Instagram following Saturday's draw.
Balotelli, who has not appeared for Italy since the 2014 World Cup and earned only one call-up since Conte took charge, said on social media that he "can't wait" for Euro 2016 to start -- a post that has since been removed.
When asked by reporters in Paris what he thought of Balotelli's message, Conte questioned the intentions of the on-loan AC Milan player, who has spent the last two months sidelined by injury.
"Can't wait for what? To watch it on TV or to play in it?" Conte is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "It's up to him, like for everybody else, to prove himself. But he's got a lot to prove -- lots and lots."
Conte did not rule out considering the Liverpool loanee for selection, but hinted that he has already made up his mind about most of his squad.
"I'm not ruling anybody out and I'll be taking a close look because there's always space, but I know who has got us here and I know these players," Conte added. "If anybody wants to break in [to this group], they've got to prove a lot, and I mean a lot."
Balotelli has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for the Azzurri, including one against Germany in the Euro 2012 semifinal.
The last of those goals came against England in the 2014 World Cup, with the one before that coming over two years ago.
He has scored just one goal for Milan this season and has not featured since Sept. 27.
Italy were drawn in Group E for Euro 2016, alongside Belgium, Sweden and Republic of Ireland.