AC MILAN striker Antonio Cassano, it’s fair to say, has had an eventful old life, at times a bit on the controversial side, and it seemed to get even more interesting recently when he revealed that “now I am expecting a child it’s an uphill struggle”.

Thankfully, his water polo- playing wife, Carolina Marcialis, is helping him through the pregnancy, but Antonio is still fretting a bit about the prospect of becoming a father. “Soon my kid will know all the dumb things I did, it will be tough being credible at that point,” he said.

More happily, though, Antonio believes there are already some hopeful indications the baby will follow in his footsteps and, possibly, have a successful football career. “The boy is showing positive signs already, he constantly kicks in his mother’s tummy. Both right and left-footed.”

Carolina wasn’t available for comment, but you can be sure she’s thrilled too that junior is two-footed.