Cesare Prandelli has said he did not fall out with Mario Balotelli during the World Cup but has admitted that the Italy striker lives in a place that is “far from reality”.

Italy went out of the World Cup at the group stage despite beating England in their opening game and Prandelli resigned on the spot after their final group game, a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.

The 56-year-old has since taken charge at Galatasaray but told Corriere della Sera that he will miss Italy and that the Milan forward will hopefully learn from the World Cup experience and become a better player.

“Balotelli is fundamentally a good guy. He is not a bad person,” Prandelli said. “But he lives in a place that is far away from reality. [In the end] That doesn’t mean anything. He is only 24 and has the possibility to build on this experience.”

Prandelli also said that he did not want to be seen as a victim after the criticism he received following Italy’s exit. “In the days since the tournament I have thought a lot,” he said. “And I kept returning to one thing. In a professional life there will always be highs and lows but these are highs and lows of a privilege. I was crudely attacked. Fair enough but I don’t want to be seen as a victim. I don’t have that right.”