Prandelli: I hope that next year Balotelli will lead the Italian national team forward © EuroFootball.com

Italy's national team in 2011 should be led by Mario Balotelli, hopes national team coach Cesare Prandelli.

“The future? I hope that the coming years will belong to Balotelli,” the specialist told "Rai Sport". “He needs to gain consistency, and his behavior on the field must become an example for others.”

Born in Italy to parents from Ghana, the child made his debut in the "Azzurri" ranks after the 2010 World Cup, when Prandelli began his coaching duties.