It seems Cristiano Ronaldo's split from model Irina Shayk has had a big impact on his family. The Real Madrid footballer's older sister Elma has spoken out about the demise of the couple's relationship, saying it was "like a death" that the family need to "overcome".
The 41-year-old, who manages Cristiano's clothing store in Madeira, told Correio da Manha: "Irina is like a death. Suffered from the separation but we have to move forward and overcome."
Despite admitting to grieving her brother's relationship, Elma said Cristiano is coping fine with being single.
© Photo: RexCristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk ended their five year relationship in December
"He's fine with or without a woman on the side. He's happy," she insisted, adding that the end of Cristiano and Irina's five-year relationship was like that of any couple.
"This separation was like a normal couple. Finished and ready. Finished and ready. Now is to move on."
As HELLO! Online revealed in February, it was Irina who took the painful decision to end the relationship on New Year's Eve after confronting the 30-year-old partner.
"She was in shock and completely devastated," a close friend told HELLO! Online. "It wasn't a decision she took lightly."
© Photo: Getty ImagesRonaldo's sister Elma said his split with Irina was "like a death"
Following the split Irina was forced to put out a statement that she had not snubbed Ronaldo's mother's 60th birthday party. Her spokesperson said at the time: "She has been very close to his family throughout their relationship. Any negative rumours about Irina and Ronaldo's family are completely false and have not been a factor in the cause of the split."
Irina has since revealed what she is looking for in a future partner, telling Hola! that the most important qualities she is looking for is someone "faithful, honest and a gentleman."
"I thought I had once found the ideal man but it didn't turn out that way," she said. "I think a woman feels ugly when she's got the wrong man at her side. I've felt ugly and insecure.
"My ideal man is faithful, honest and a gentleman who knows how to treat women. I don't believe in men who make us feel unhappy, because they're boys, not men."
