Irina Shayk denies Ronaldo's family caused split

Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk during the LFP Awards Gala 2014 on October 27, 2014 in Madrid, Spain

Los Angeles, Jan 19 (IANS) Russian model Irina Shayk has confirmed her split from star Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo but denied his family was to blame for their breakup.

The 29-year-old model made her acting debut alongside Dwayne Johnson in the 2014 film Hercules, and the Real Madrid superstar dated for five years but decided to end their relationship amid claims Shayk refused to attend a surprise party for his mother's birthday.

However, representatives of the actress, who has modelled for Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated among others, have dismissed the claim, insisting she had been close to his family "throughout the course of their relationship".

Shayk's representatives have told the Mirror newspaper that "any negative rumours with regards to Irina and the Ronaldo family are completely false and have not been a factor in the cause of the split".

It had previously been reported that Ronaldo, 29, spent New Year's Eve alone with his son after Shayk decided not to attend his mother's 60th birthday party in Spain.

Speculation about the status of their relationship increased after she failed to be by the side of the Real Madrid star when he scooped the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for the third time during a ceremony in Zurich last week.

Ronaldo also failed to mention her during his acceptance speech.