Professional football players lead fascinating lives, not just on the field but off it too. Their personal relationships, often filled with love and drama, show us how even icons navigate the challenges of love.
Here’s a look at five football players and their surprising relationships with their wives or partners—and the remarkable reasons behind their splits.
5. Achraf Hakimi and Hiba Abouk: The couple tied the knot in 2020 but ended their marriage in 2023. The split had an eyebrow-raising cause: Hakimi’s strong dependence on his mother. During divorce proceedings, it was revealed that Hakimi owned no assets in his name—all were registered under his mother, Saida.
Hiba Abouk allegedly divorced Achraf Hakimi due to his close attachment to his mother.
4. Ricardo Kaka and Caroline Celico: Caroline Celico explained the unusual reasoning behind her split from the Brazilian footballer. It wasn't a typical breakup story; she found Kaka "too perfect"—a loyal, caring husband who showered her with attention. While such qualities might seem ideal, they overwhelmed Caroline, leading her to end the marriage.
Caroline left Kaka, ironically, because his perfection was too much for her to handle.
3. Kevin Prince Boateng: The Ghanaian footballer, and Jerome Boateng's brother, divorced his first wife, Jennifer. The reason? Her high demand for intimacy reportedly left Boateng physically drained and emotionally exasperated. Eventually, he couldn’t keep up with her needs, leading to the collapse of their marriage.
Kevin Prince Boateng ended his marriage with Jennifer due to her extreme demands for intimacy.
2. Mauro Icardi and Wanda Nara: This dramatic love triangle stunned football fans worldwide. Wanda Nara left her first husband, Maxi López—a teammate of Mauro Icardi—for the Argentine star. Despite a passionate relationship, Wanda and Mauro themselves eventually ended their union.
Maxi López (center) lost his wife Wanda Nara (left) to Mauro Icardi (right).
1. Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk: This high-profile couple parted ways in 2015 after nearly five years together. Rumors surrounding their breakup claim that Cristiano's mother, Dolores Aveiro, didn't approve of Irina, perceiving her to lack "wife-like qualities." For her part, Irina reportedly resented Dolores’ influence on Cristiano. Allegations of infidelity also fueled speculation about the split.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly called off his relationship with Irina Shayk due to conflicts between her and his mother.