Nicolo Barella might never have become a professional footballer had his mother had her way with the Inter midfielder, a leading Italian broadcaster highlighted today.

Barella has been showered with praise in the media since his performance in Sunday’s Derby d’Italia win over Juventus, in which he scored the second goal in a 2-0 victory for Antonio Conte’s side.

The midfielder is already being linked with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but Barella nearly took up an entirely different sporting career, as recalled by Sky Sport Italia.

Veronica Baldaccini produced a profile of the 23-year-old today, in which she reminded viewers that he had previously told reporters: “My mother wanted me to play basketball, but I only controlled the ball with my feet.”

“His maturity hurries him, he rewrites the list of priorities, those that not all 23-year-olds have,” Baldaccini continued in her report.

“After the match against the Bianconeri, Nicolo accompanied his wife to the clinic to attend the birth of his third child, Matilde.

“Today he has three daughters and a wife, and he played a key role in securing one of Inter’s most beautiful victories in recent seasons.

“Inter are a team that cannot do without him and the Italian national team awaits him in June.

“If anyone gets in the way, they will have to contend with him.”

Barella has made 25 appearances across all competitions to date this season, in which he has managed to score two goals and provide no less than eight assists for his teammates.

A report in Gazzetta dello Sport this morning revealed the former Cagliari man dreams of emulating Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti’s career and becoming a Nerazzurri legend.