Italy's most talented and popular footballer, Francesco Totti, is to be a father for the second time.
The AS Roma star's wife, Ilary Blasi, announced that she is four-months pregnant in an interview published in Wednesday's edition of celebrity gossip magazine Chi.
The couple already have a one-year-old boy, Cristian.
Blasi, who is a model and TV presenter, was heavily pregnant with Cristian when they wed in June 2005.
Totti is an extremely proud father. Since becoming a dad he has taken to celebrating his goals by sucking his thumb, baby-style. The news of extra paternity commitments is likely to dispel hopes that Totti will return to action with the Italian national team soon.
The playmaker-striker has taken a sabbatical from national duty, as he seeks to recover peak form.
Totti was only semi-fit during Italy's triumphant World Cup campaign in Germany and did not live up to his billing as the Azzurri's key player as a result.
He has said he will not return to international action until next year.
According to press reports though, the player does not intend to pull on the Azzurri shirt again before the start of next season, which means September 2007. "Totti wants to return to the national team only when he is in form and that's a decision that should be respected," said Inter defender Marco Materazzi at the Azzurri camp preparing for Wednesday's friendly against Turkey. After a slow start to the season, Totti seems to be regaining his touch.
The 30-year-old was outstanding in Roma's 2-1 victory over Milan Saturday at the San Siro Stadium, scoring both his side's goals. The win has fired Roma's ambitions of winning the title for the fourth time. Roma are currently third in the Serie A standings, four points behind leaders Inter Milan and Palermo.
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni stressed Monday that Totti will not automatically have a place in his squad when he decides he is ready to come back. "Totti has to deserve a call-up with performances like Saturday's," he said.
Totti has 58 Azzurri caps and has scored nine international goals.
