Lionel Messi & girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo welcomes first child Thiago

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has become a father for the first time after his girlfriend, Antonella Rocuzzo, gave birth to a baby boy, Thiago.

The 25-year-old was given permission to leave training this morning to accompany his partner to a clinic in the city after she went into labour.

The boy was born just after 17:00CET, with Roccuzzo surrounded by family and friends. 

“I’m prepared for Thiago’s arrival, it is very exciting,” said Messi. “It makes you think of things in a different way. You can no longer just think about yourself, you think about him, and how you hope he doesn’t have any problems.”