Balotelli made a goal-scoring return for the Azzurri on Monday in his first start for four years, helping the Italians to a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

However, his joy at returning to the national team was tempered by a banner displayed by fans which read, in Italian: “My captain is of Italian blood.”

Police removed the offending sign, and Balotelli later responded to the incident by issuing a picture of the banner on Instagram, adding the message: “We are in 2018 guys. Wake up!”