Mid-Day

Footballer Mario Balotelli is said to be ‘delighted’ after becoming a father for the first time after his ex-girlfriend Raffaella Fico gave birth to a baby girl at a private clinic in Naples, Italy.

Mario Balotelli. Pic/ AFP

Little Pia — who weighed 8lb 4oz — had been due on Christmas Day but was born just under three weeks early.

The name ‘Pia’ is a Latin term for devout or pious.

“He is expected to fly out to see Pia in the next few days. He’s very excited,” the Sun quoted a source close to the star as saying.

Meanwhile, Mario’s mum Rose Barwuah, who lives in Wythenshawe, Manchester, told The Sun: “I’m really happy to be a grandma.”