Cristiano Ronaldo breaks up with girlfriend Irina Shayk

Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed Tuesday he has broken up with his longtime girlfriend, Russian model Irina Shayk.

"After dating for five years, my relationship with Irina Shayk has come to an end," Ronaldo said in a written statement sent exclusively to The Associated Press. "We believed it would be best for both of us to take this step now."

Ronaldo said he was making the statement to end speculation about their relationship, and to end recent rumors about his private life. He did not specify the rumors, but media in Portugal have reported that Shayk fell out with members of Ronaldo's family, and that he was seeing another woman.

"I wish Irina the greatest happiness," Ronaldo said. [AP]