Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says Mario Balotelli will realize his true potential and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is right man to help him get there.

In an interview with Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport, Prandelli says "the hope remains the same, that Mario decides to finally invest in himself; that he says, OK, now I'll become the best in the world ... I always believe he can do it."

Balotelli has been strongly linked with a move to AC Milan.

Prandelli says "Mario needs to do what Mancini asks of him."

The Italy coach also says he will continue to focus on youth ahead of the 2014 World Cup and will take Stephan El Shaarawy and Marco Verratti to the Confederations Cup.