Messi becomes a father again

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is available for selection for the weekend's game with Atletico Madrid after the birth of his second son Mateo on Friday night.

Messi missed Barcelona's training session as he was given permission to attend the birth but will be in the squad to face Atletico on Saturday.

The Argentina international already has one son with girlfriend Antonella Roccuzzo, Thiago, who was born in 2012.

Coach Luis Enrique told a news conference: "He [Messi] is available to play. He is on the list. The club gave him permission not to train today for personal reasons."

Spanish media initially reported the birth of Messi's son on Friday morning in Barcelona with the information that the child was to be named Benjamin. But Messi's brother, Matias, clarified via two tweets, that not only had the media jumped the gun on the hour of the birth, but also had gotten the baby's name wrong.

The first tweet said: "I want to make two things clear, first Leo's son is not going to be named Benjamin as the media are saying. And second, he hasn't been born yet."

The second tweet said: "I will let you know when it happens."

And the third tweet, which finally brought the good news, said: "OK people, MATEO was just born. In a bit I will give you the details, for now we are going to enjoy this moment. THANKS ALL!!!!!"

Saturday's game will see the last two Primera Division champions square off at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

Barca centre-back Gerard Pique will not be available to face Atletico due to his suspension.

Both sides have enjoyed perfect starts to the campaign.

"I expect a complicated game and to play at the Vicente Calderon stadium against a team that aspired to win the league title is always difficult," Luis Enrique added. "Atletico have reinforced themselves well and have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign.

"It's no wonder they won the league two years ago. They have a great coach and it's always a big motivation for us to play against them.

"Last season the games very tight and we expect the same tomorrow. We are two winning sides. [Atletico Madrid coach Diego] Simeone has proved that he is a coach that wins titles and so have I."

Barcelona confirmed their 18 man squad for the game against Atletico is: Ter Stegen, Masip, Rakitic, Sergio, Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Neymar, Rafinha, Mascherano, Bartra, Munir, Jordi Alba, Sandro, Sergi Roberto, Adriano, Vermaelen, Mathieu.