Former Italy star Andrea Pirlo has spoken of his frustration with compatriot Mario Balotelli for so far failing to live up to his potential. 

Per the Mirror‘s David Anderson, he believes the 25-year-old is running out of time to do so:

He frustrates me, but I do have so much affection for Mario. 

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.

The striker emerged as a hot prospect at Inter Milan before moving to Manchester City, where he showed further glimpses of his talent. He secured a place in their history by assisting Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp Premier League-winning strike:

However, he struggled to make an impact in his third season. Balotelli left the Sky Blues in January 2013 for AC Milan, where he netted 12 goals in 13 matches and another 18 the following season.

His career seemed to be back on the up when Liverpool turned to him as they sought a replacement for Luis Suarez, but after scraping together just four goals at Anfield he was quickly loaned back to the Rossoneri last season.

With the first half of his campaign disrupted by injury, Balotelli netted three goals in 23 appearances.

Per the Mirror‘s David Maddock, he has subsequently returned to Liverpool but has been told by manager Jurgen Klopp he has no future at the club.

Betting site Paddy Power summed up his options:

Filippo Bonsignore of Italian outlet Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness, h/t the Mirror‘s Liam Corless) reported the forward’s camp has been trying to negotiate a big-money deal to the Chinese Super League.

Pirlo hopes he will put his career before riches, though:

He has played for so many big clubs, it’s easy to forget he’s only 25. He still has time to make it at the very top.

He needs to pick his next club carefully. I have read things about him and China. With all respect to their league, Mario should not be going there yet.

If he has two or three good seasons at his next club, he will still only be 28 and could join one of the top clubs in Europe.

I don’t have any advice for him anymore, he knows the qualities that he has. From this point, it’s up to Mario.

Indeed, Balotelli’s career is already faltering, and he failed to make Antonio Conte’s UEFA Euro 2016 Italy squad—a move to China as he approaches what should be his peak years will make resurrecting his top-level career very difficult.

The mercurial frontman is already well on his way to becoming one of the biggest “what ifs” in the modern game. Heading to the Far East could cement that.

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