The apple doesn't fall far from the tree—and that's certainly true for Carlo Ancelotti's son, Davide. Following in his father's legendary footsteps, the 36-year-old is carving out his own coaching career, and he recently shared a fascinating glimpse into the unique methods that shaped his competitive spirit.

In a revealing interview on the 'Tripletta' podcast by Gazzetta, Davide confirmed a long-rumored story from his childhood that perfectly illustrates the Ancelotti family's winning mentality. According to Davide, his father would use a stopwatch to time how quickly he could put on his pajamas—turning a simple bedtime routine into a high-stakes challenge.

"That was a trick from a great coach," Davide explained with a smile. "He gave me a challenge so I would go to bed. Basically, it works the same way with footballers, who are always very ambitious."

This blend of ambition and competitiveness is the secret sauce behind champions, but Davide warns it can sometimes go too far. He recalled a memorable scene from his time at Real Madrid: "Two players played a badminton match at 4 a.m. after returning from an away game because they had promised each other they would." He also noted that the club's foot tennis court had to be removed because the contests became too heated.

So whether it's a father timing his son's pajama race or teammates battling it out in the early hours, the lesson is clear: a little competition never hurt anyone—unless you forget to set the timer.