Messi's wife gives birth to third son

Barcelona announced that their talisman had been replaced by Yerry Mina in the squad travelling to Malaga due to 'personal reasons' as Messi's partner went into labour.

The couple announced that they were expecting their third child to be born somewhere in March and the Argentina international has since confirmed through Instagram that their son has entered the world slightly early.

 

10 March 2018

Taking to Instagram, Messi posted a picture of his new son holding his finger with the caption: "Welcome Ciro! Thank you God for helping him arrive perfectly. Mum and boy are good. We are super happy!!!!"

Ciro has arrived just two weeks after Antonella's 30th birthday on February 26, which she celebrated with her husband and two other sons, Thiago (aged 5) and Mateo (aged 2).

The couple revealed the name of their third son in February, causing a stir because it means 'Cristiano' in Mandarian Chinese. However, they decided on the name because of their admiration for signer Horacio Demian 'Ciro' Pertusi.