Cristiano Ronaldo confirms split from Irina Shayk, as he is allegedly linked to a Spanish journalist

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally confirmed that his five year relationship with Irina Shayk is over.

The Portuguese footballer said: 'After dating for five years, my relationship with Irina Shayk has come to an end. We believed it would be best for both of us to take this step now.'

'I wish Irina the greatest happiness.'

Cristiano's split from the stunning model, whom he'd been with for five years, was confirmed at the weekend, after days of speculation after she unfollowed him on Twitter as was reported here.

She was also notably absent at his third prestigious Ballon d'Or win celebration on January 12.

However, in her absence was the beautiful reporter, a sports journalist who was also pictured celebrating with him on the day in Irina's absence.

The  Portuguese footballer was first linked to Lucia when she posted a photo of the pair on her Twitter account shortly after Cristiano received the golden soccer trophy in Zurich, Switzerland.

'There are 3! Golden ball congratulations! Zurich 12/01/15,' she wrote in the caption.

Victoria's Secret beauty Irina's spokesperson revealed on Saturday: 'We can confirm Irina Shayk has ended her relationship to Cristiano Ronaldo of five years.'

A massive argument between his mother and his longtime love may have resulted in the demise of their romance.

Cristiano's alleged new flame, who is an avid follower of his successful sports career, is a state broadcaster who graduated with law and journalism degrees.

The 26-year-old noticeably braved the plummeting temperatures and sat in the stands at Cristiano's game against Getafe CF on January 18, cheering on the world famous star with a couple of girlfriends.

Cristiano put his love life to one side on Monday to spend time with his son. The footballer picked up his little boy, also called Cristiano, from school in Madrid, Spain.

The lookalike duo stepped out in the sunny afternoon, the footballer protectively putting his arm around his four-year-old boy.

Cristiano Jr couldn't wipe the smile off his face as his famous father picked him up after school, while keeping warm in the winter sun with a jacket and woolly hat.

He became a father back in July 2010, and has previously admitted that being a parent changed him.

'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility,' he said.

'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends, that gives me important support for everything else.' 

The identity of the mother has never been revealed, but it was reported in 2011 that she was a 20-year-old British student who was paid £10 million to give up her parental rights.

...DailyMail