Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-term girlfriend Irina Shayk have split, it has been confirmed. The couple have been together for five years, but in the past few weeks, the footballer and the Russian model have been hit with break-up rumours. Irina, 29, failed to attend the Ballon d'Or earlier this month, which saw Cristiano crowned the best footballer of the year. Instead she looked to be spending her January birthday without him, on holiday in an exotic location, as the photos she posted on Instagram showed.
© Photo: PACristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk first met while filming an advert together
"We can confirm Irina Shayk has ended her relationship to Cristiano Ronaldo," the cover girl's representative told Page Six. While sources speculated that the pair had parted ways after Irina reportedly didn't show up to Cristiano's mother's 60th birthday party, her spokesperson went on to address the rift rumours. "She has been close with his family throughout the course of their relationship," they added. "Any negative rumours with regards to Irina and the Ronaldo family are completely false, and have not been a factor in the cause of the spilt. Irina has no further comment at the time."
© Photo: InstagramIrina Shayk looks to have celebrated her birthday and New Year's Eve apart from Cristiano Ronaldo
Irina and Cristiano were said to have argued about her attendance at the family party, and when they couldn't come to an agreement, the couple reportedly rowed and spent New Year's Eve apart – despite celebrating Christmas together with Cristiano's relatives. The Portuguese legend most recently appeared in public to receive the Ballon d'Or award in Zurich, Switzerland – the prestigious FIFA trophy he has won for the second year in a row. Cristiano was accompanied by his mini-me son, also name Cristiano, his mother Dolores and his older brother Hugo. In stark contrast to his loved-up appearance last year when, Cristiano, 29, thanked his "wife" Irina in his acceptance speech, the Real Madrid football star made no mention of the model this time around.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo made no mention of Irina Shayk as he accepted his Ballon d'Or award earlier this month
"I can see my mother, my family," Cristiano said as he took to the stage. "I would like to thank all those who voted for me. My coach, my fellow players, the President of my club." "All I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far," he added. "Trying to go on to more titles – individual and as a team – for my mother, my father who is up there looking at us and my son." Fans were also quick to notice that Irina had not congratulated Cristiano on social media for his win.
