Antonella Roccuzzo: Lionel Messi's Girlfriend Gives Birth To Baby Boy

World Player of the Year and Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi's girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo, gave birth to a baby boy, Thiago, on Friday, according to reports. It is the couple's first child together.

"Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!" wrote Messi on Facebook. "Thanks to my family for the support! A hug to everyone."

Messi's club Barcelona excused the 25-year-old Argentinian forward from training on Friday morning to attend his son's birth at a hospital in Barcelona. Goal.com reports that Thiago was born just after 5:00 local time, with Roccuzzo surrounded by family and friends, including Messi's parents, Jorge and Celia.

The club announced the birth on its website after it was originally reported by Spanish and Argentina media outlets and confirmed by Messi himself.

In a recent interview with Spanish newspaper El País, Messi said that he was looking forward to becoming a father.

"I'm prepared for Thiago's arrival, it is very exciting," he said. "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."

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said that Messi is still expected to play in Saturday's Spanish league match against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou Stadium.

The birth of Messi's child comes at the peak of his career. After breaking a number of individual scoring records over the past season, Messi is just two goals shy of matching Pelé's milestone of 75 goals for club and country in a calendar year, set in 1958. He is also a leading candidate to win what would be his fourth FIFA Ballon d'Or.

On Saturday, Messi scored his 300th career goal.