Rooney and Hart in Balotelli's team but striker says no other England player would even make the Italy SQUAD



Mario Balotelli has taken a swipe at World Cup opponents England by claiming Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney are the only two players good enough to make the Italy squad.



Balotelli is set to face his former Manchester City team-mate Hart and Manchester United striker Rooney in Brazil after the Azzurri were drawn against England, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D.

And the controversial AC Milan striker is in no doubt who will come out on top.

WATCH Scroll down to see Balotelli struggle with a bib AGAIN and Mourinho's Mario story



Hello again: Mario Balotelli was up against his former Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart at Euro 2012

Last laugh: Balotelli scored past Hart from 12 yards as the Italians won on penalties in Ukraine Travelling in style: Italy striker Balotelli was out shopping in his Ferrari in Milan this week

Balotelli said: ' Wayne Rooney I am sure would get in any squad that will be in Brazil - he is one of those few special players. Manchester United had many good players - but when I was at City (manager) Roberto Mancini and the coaches would always teach us pay attention to Rooney - and make it clear he is the one that can hurt us.

'I know that Joe (Hart) is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world - there is no argument about that. He had some games that he would not have been pleased with earlier this season but the best players in the world hit some bad form.



Compliment: Balotelli reckons England striker Wayne Rooney would get in the Italy team

Hug it out: Hart and Balotelli played together at Manchester City (left) and faced each other at Euro 2012



'I saw everyday for three years what he is capable of and like Rooney he would get in any squad in the world.

'Both Rooney and Joe are of the highest quality but once you look past those two I don't see an obvious player from England that would make the Italy team or even squad.



Never write them off: Per Mertesacker (second right) scored as Germany beat England 1-0 in November

'We have some of the top players in Europe and that is why we expect to beat England and win the group.'

Roy Hodgson's side topped their qualifying group ahead of Ukraine, Montenegro and Poland on the back of 10 matches unbeaten.

But they've lost two friendlies since - against Germany and Chile - and haven't been given much chance of success in Brazil with bookies making them 28/1 to lift the trophy.

The Italians are 25/1 with hosts Brazil the 3/1 favourites.