Mario Balotelli becomes a father for the first time as ex Raffaella Fico gives birth to baby girl

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.

Little Pia had been due on Christmas Day but was born just under three weeks early after Raffaella Fico was rushed to hospital after having contractions while at home with her mum.

Mario Balotelli himself was not present at the birth but Raffaella Fico’s brother Francesco and her mum Pia were and the baby weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs, 4 oz (3.8 kg) and was registered in her mother’s name.

There was no official comment from Mario Balotelli following the “nappy” news although sources close to the Manchester City star said he was “delighted” with the birth which took place at the private Clinica Mediterranea in Naples.

Ex underwear model Raffaella Fico and Mario Balotelli had split up in April following a furious doorstep bust up after she flew to Manchester from Italy to confront him over his cheating.

Two months later Raffaella Fico called Mario Balotelli to say she was expecting his child and initially he refused to accept the baby was his and demanded a DNA test to prove he was the father.

The couple then played out a furious slanging match via the Italian media over the summer with a shocked Raffaella Fico expressing anger and surprise that he should question whether he was the father.

Two months ago Mario Balotelli then revealed he was going to “try again” with Raffaella Fico and he flew to her home near Naples where the two were pictured kissing passionately on the balcony of her home.

However, since then Mario Balotelli has not been in touch with Raffaella Fico and only this week she had issued an ultimatum to the player saying: “If you love our child and me then marry me.”

On Thursday a source at the clinic said: “Pia was born on Wednesday night and both mother and baby are doing well.”

Raffaella Fico, who has dated Cristiano Ronaldo in the past and also appeared in Italy’s version of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, is said to have sold exclusive first pictures of Pia to glossy Italian weekly Chi – the magazine that published photographs of a topless Kate Middleton this summer.