Inter wing-back Matteo Darmian got his first taste of winning when he was 10 years old, a report in the Italian media revealed today.

Darmian moved Inter one step closer to the Serie A title on Sunday by scoring the winner in their 1-0 victory at home to Hellas Verona.

The Italian is known for being one of football’s more sensible and well-educated players, and this was confirmed by a curious anecdote discussed in Tuttosport’s print edition.

When he was 10 years old, Darmian won a ‘super reader’ award with a library in Milan after reading 12 books in the space of one summer.

The annual competition invites hundreds of children to explore their passion for books, guaranteeing a reward for anyone who finishes reading at least four.

Darmian was described by librarian Mario Domina as ‘a clean-cut boy, very educated and gentle’, having won the 1999 edition by completing 12 books.

The 31-year-old could help Inter write a new chapter in their own history on Sunday by winning the Scudetto for the first time since 2010.