Mario Balotelli identifies Inter as the team to beat in Serie A next season, though the striker has named Roma as his unexpected pick to disrupt the title race.

According to Sport Mediaset, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Balotelli, who is currently playing for Al-Ittifaq in Dubai, predicts that reigning champions Inter will remain at the top of the table while highlighting an outsider.

When asked if Napoli, Milan, and Juventus are genuine contenders, he replied: “Yes, but I want to add a surprise: Roma.” Regarding the current champions, he was clear: “Inter remain the team to beat.”

That assessment aligns with his admiration for former Inter teammate Cristian Chivu, who is now working as a coach.

“He was always switched on, even as a player, already a coach on the pitch, tactically ready and intelligent,” Balotelli said of the teammate he won the 2010 treble alongside.

Mario Balotelli acts as fashion model for KidSuper runway show.

Balotelli reveals near-Juventus move and backs Allegri at Napoli

The former Manchester City striker also discussed a transfer move that never happened.

“Yes, after Manchester City. Then I ended up at Milan, so no regrets, it was a choice,” he said. “Of course, that Juventus side was strong.”

He also offered praise for Massimiliano Allegri as the manager begins his new role at Napoli. “Recently I’ve read a lot of criticism of him, but when I had him at Milan I liked him a great deal,” Balotelli said. “If he’s still that man, he’ll do well.”

The conversation took a somber turn when the topic shifted to the Italian national team. Balotelli remains Italy’s last World Cup scorer, a record that has stood since 2014, with the Azzurri missing their third consecutive tournament this summer, and he takes no pride in the statistic.

“It’s nothing to be proud of, quite the opposite, it’s a sad thing,” he said. “Too many years have passed.”