Forward’s new-born baby will be called Lionel.
Italy international Antonio Cassano his named his new son after Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi, the “the greatest player of all time” according to the Inter Milan attacker.
Cassano’s wife Carolina gave birth to the couple’s second son on Monday.
Cassano said he had named his son Lionel “in honour of the greatest player of all time, my idol.”
Cassano, who had to temporarily stop his career last year to undergo minor heart surgery, already has another son, Christopher.
The dedication to star Barcelona forward Messi is unlikely to be missed by fans of AC Milan, where Cassano played until a controversial summer move to Inter.
Messi scored twice for Barca as the Spanish league giants overcame a 2-0 first leg defeat in the last 16 of the Champions League to run out 4-2 aggregate winners following a 4-0 second leg rout at the Nou Camp.
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