The president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has said he believes Mario Balotelli could spearhead an Italian resurgence -- and not only in terms of football.
Giovanni Malago feels the Liverpool striker, who is currently struggling for form, could help boost the national team and increase the country's sense of optimism.
In 2013, Time magazine named Balotelli as one of its 100 most influential people, and Malago said he could help morale in a country that has suffered badly in the recent European financial crisis.
"It's true that he could be a symbol of new Italians," Malago said at an event in Pisa reported by Il Corriere dello Sport.
"However, he is not the only one -- there are many other athletes in different sports who don't get the same level of attention because they don't play football.
"I represent all of them, so I won't say anything else. [Italy manager Antonio] Conte is right when he says that Italian football is in a moment of great difficulty, and it would be hypocritical to say otherwise."
Italy face Croatia in a Euro 2016 qualifier at the San Siro in Milan on Sunday, when Balotelli is not expected to feature.
However, he could make his first international appearance under Conte in the friendly against Albania in Genoa on Wednesday.
Many in Italy criticised Balotelli's performances as Italy exited the World Cup at the group stage, while AC Milan were happy to sell him to Liverpool, for whom he has yet to score a Premier League goal.