Cristiano Ronaldo calls time on his relationship with Irina Shayk

Months of rows and an argument over another woman and Shayk's snubbing of his mother's surprise 60th birthday rumoured to be the cause of Ronaldo and Shayk's break-up

BY Olivia Lidbury | 17 January 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk on the June 2014 issue of Vogue Espana Photo: Vogue Espana/Mario Testino/Twitter

On the surface Cristiano Rolando and Irina Shayk made the unlikeliest of celebrity pairings. Yet despite their demanding jobs, conflicting schedules and the arrival of the footballer's mystery son soon after they got together, their relationship managed to go the distance for five full years.

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But now reports have emerged that the caramel-skinned, impeccably-browed duo are no more, and it's all down to another woman getting in the way - Ronaldo's mother Dolores.
After the modern family of three (read more on that here) spent Christmas as a family together in Dubai, it is thought that Sports Illustrated pin-up Irina was reluctant to travel to her Real Madrid striker's native Madeira to attend Dolores' surprise 60th birthday party before going on to New York.
READ: Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk - a very modern family
Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha claims to have the scoop, revealing: "They had such a big row that he ended up spending New Year's Eve alone with his son. It was the straw that broke the camel's back because they had hadn't been getting on well in the last few months." Shayk is also reported to have unfollowed the footballer on Twitter.
Indeed, Shayk was notably absent from this week's Ballon d'Or ceremony, where Ronaldo was presented with the prestigious footballing award for the second consecutive year. Last year was a different story: Irina dutifully played the role of supporting girlfriend and step-mother to little Cristianinho - as he is known - happily posing for pictures on the red carpet.

Ronaldo modelling his CR 7 underwear range
SEE: Irina Shayk and Cristiano Ronaldo undress for Spanish Vogue
What's clear is that neither is likely to be single for long; lingerie model Irina has one of the most lusted-after physiques in the industry while superstar Ronaldo surely won't be short of women offering to consult on his fashion line and help make a dent in his £50 million-a-year earnings.
But, sniff sniff, we'll miss ogling their very open displays of affection, such as this unforgettable, voyeuristic turn in Vogue Spain (main picture).

Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk with son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr at the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo: Rex