Sports weddings and babies of the year for 2012 • 12/29/2012, 11:14 AM

The year 2012 didn't see too many world famous althetes tie the knot at the alter but many decided to start new families or expand their existing ones, including some of the biggest names in the sports world. The following gallery highlights the weddings of and new additions to sport's biggest names.

The most anticipated baby of the year arrived on November 2 when Thiago Messi was born. Son of Barcelona's uber-star Lionel Messi and girlfriend Antonella Roccuzz, Thiago already has the sports world buzzing in anticipation of his future skills.

Like with most things surrounding Diego Armando Maradona, the birth of a pending child to former girlfriend Verónica Ojeda is also steeped in controversy. The baby is reported to be a male and would be Maradona's fourth offspring. As you could expect, the pending arrival did not sit well with some of Maradona's grown children and former wife. 

On a more positive note, one of the planet's biggest celebrity couples, Colombian songstress Shakira and FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique are expecting a child. They have already named the child \"Biel\" and it is scheduled for delivery on February 2, the same birthday as its parents. How about that for  a coincidence?

One of the weddings of the year had to be that of Barcelona midfield maestro Andres Iniesta. The playmaker married Anna Ortiz, mother of his daughter Valeria. The wedding took place on July 8 at a ceremony filled with luminaries, including many of his Barcelona teammates.

Another Barcelona standout, Cesc Fabregas also has fatherhood on the agenda in 2013 as his girlfriend, Daniella Semaan, is pregnant.

The baby boom at Barcelona doesn't only include first time fathers as forward David Villa expects his third child with wife Patricia Gonzalez to be born between January and February. The couple already has two daughters.

Barcelona goalie Víctor Valdés is known for minding the net, but he'll have to do some serious crib minding after he and his Colombian mate Yolanda Cardona have their second child near the end of the year.

Finally, another child is expected from the Barcelona contingent as striker Pedro Rodríguez and wife Carolina Martin are pregnant with their first child, expected to be born near the end of the La Liga season.

Real Madrid defender Pepe had his first child with mate Ana Sofia on August 28, a baby girl sure to kick some other babies in the nursery (just kidding!)

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney announced that his wife, Coleen, would give birth to their second child in May to go with big brother Kai.

Liverpool's goalie Pepe Reina will be a father for the fourth time when his wife Yolanda Ruiz gives birth to a child who will join daughters Grecia and Alma, and son Luca.

After asking for proof of paternity, Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli turned into a father for the first time when daughter Pia was born December 6.  The mother of the child is Raffaella Fico, who had some choice comments about her child's father since she was born. 

The most controversial sports wedding of the year was without that the union of US National Team goalie Hope Solo and former tight end Jerramy Stevens on November 13. The marriage has drawn harsh criticism and scrutiny in part because of a domestic violence episode the night berore the wedding.