Messi to return

forBarcelona

after son's birth

Barcelona's Lionel Messi should be available for the leaders' game at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday after the birth of his first child.

Liga top-scorer Messi missed training on Friday to accompany his pregnant girlfriend Antonella Racuzzo to the Instituto Universitario USP Dexeus, a hospital in central Barcelona.

She later gave birth to baby boy Thiago.

"Leo Messi is a father," his club Barcelona said. "This Friday afternoon Antonella Rocuzzo, the Argentine star's girlfriend, gave birth to Thiago Messi, the couple's first son."

Messi, 25, added on his Facebook page: "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son has been born.

"I thank God for this gift. Thanks to my family for the support. A hug for everyone."

All being well, forward Messi should still be available for Saturday's La Liga match at home to Celta Vigo Barca coach Tito Vilanova said earlier on Friday.

"In principle he'll be available for the match," Vilanova, who had a stint at Celta as a player, told a news conference.

"It won't change anything that he hasn't trained for one day, it's not significant."

Barca centre back Gerard Pique has been out for more than a month with a foot injury and will again be sidelined on Saturday but Vilanova said he expected the Spain international to be back training with his team-mates soon.

"He has been training more intensely for some days now and it's a matter of a few days before he returns to work with us," Vilanova said.

"It's important to get players back (from injury), above all in that position, where Carles Puyol is also missing," he added.

Puyol has not played since dislocating an elbow in last month's Champions League win at Benfica.

Goalkeeper Javi Varas returns to the Nou Camp in the colours of Celta just over a year after his brilliant performance for previous club Sevilla helped them secure a 0-0 La Liga draw.