Buenos Aires, Oct 16 (IANS): Argentinean football star Lionel Messi is set to be a father for the third time, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo confirmed.

Roccuzzo posted a family photo on Instagram of Messi and their two sons, Thiago and Mateo, on Sunday touching her belly with the legend "Family of 5," reports Xinhua news agency.

The announcement was made on the same day as Argentina celebrates Mother's Day.

Messi, 30, married his childhood sweetheart Roccuzzo in July in their home town, Rosario, 300km north of Buenos Aires.

The couple already has two boys, Thiago, aged 4, and Mateo, aged 2.

The footballer also recently celebrated Argentina's qualification for the World Cup 2018 in Russia, leaving it late until the last day of qualifying when they beat Ecuador 3-1.

Messi will play his fourth World Cup next year, with some analysts saying this trophy is the only thing standing between him and becoming the uncontested greatest player of all time.