And it's a boy, to boot

BARCELONA superstar Lionel Messi announced on Saturday the birth of his first child, Thiago.

Messi's partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, delivered their son at the Dexeus hospital about 700 metres from Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.

''Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift! Thanks to my family for the support! A hug to everyone,'' the 25-year-old Argentine said on his Facebook page.

In an interview published last week, Messi said he would not push his son to lace up his soccer boots as a career. 'He should be whatever he wants to be,'' Messi told Spain's football daily, Marca.

Thiago's arrival caps and no doubtoverwhelms a string of good news for Messi in the past week. He picked up the Golden Boot award on Monday for scoring 50 goals last season and he is favoured to win his fourth Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player.