Barcelona: Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi has finally confirmed the rumours that he and his girlfriend are expecting a child.

The diminutive attacker had always been tight-lipped when questioned about the reports that he was expecting his first child with his partner, Antonella Roccuzzo, after his special celebration of his goal in Argentina`s 4-0 victory against Ecuador earlier in the month.

However, the 24-year-old has now announced that his girlfriend is pregnant, and even went as far as giving a prediction about the baby`s gender.

"I think it will be a boy," Messi is quoted as saying by Ole. "We did not want to say anything because we never talk about our private life.

"But we were constantly asked about it, so we wanted to share our joy."

The three-time Ballon d`Or winner, who broke into Barca`s first team in 2004, scored 73 goals in all competitions in 2011-12.

Goal.com