In recent weeks, AFL legend Jimmy Bartel and his WAG wife Nadia have been at the centre of split rumours. However, after word spread that the retired footy player had moved on with another woman, he decided to address speculation they’d called time on their five-year marriage.
WATCH: The moment Jimmy Bartel is caught sleeping while Nadia is in labour
Appearing on 3AW’s pre-match coverage on Saturday, the 35-year-old suggested that things have been difficult for the couple, revealing the situation is “not great”.
“I am probably not going to provide any commentary on it,” he said.
“I know I am in the public eye and people are interested, but it is a private matter and I ask for a bit of respect because obviously Nadia and the boys [are] involved.”
Last week, Jimmy was spotted for the first time since news broke he’d split from his lifestyle blogger wife. Stepping out with his two children— four-year-old Aston, and baby Henley Roy, who was born in October 2018— he was snapped without his wedding ring, seemingly confirming the couple of five years have called it quits.
According to the Daily Mail— who obtained paparazzi shots of Jimmy out and about— the doting dad looked “downcast and tired” as he took his little ones to the pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier this month, eagle-eyed also noticed Nadia, 34, hadn’t been wearing her wedding ring in her social media posts, adding to speculation they’d broken up. The seemingly perfect couple also unfollowed each other on Instagram, with many pointing out neither has appeared on their spouse’s feed in months.
Though Nadia is yet to speak out, on August 14, a source told The Herald Sun that they had called it quits – and a cryptic story uploaded to Nadia’s Instagram appeared to suggest as much, too, hinting that she’s being comforted by the support of close friends at this time.
“People who resonate with your energy will always be there,” read the aspirational post she shared. “It’s soul family. Know your members.”
Nadia’s addition to the post was a kiss emoji with the words: “You all know who you are.”
The couple first got together in 2008 at the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, and had been inseparable until recent times. They married at the Bellarine Peninsula in February 2014, and share two beautiful boys.
“Becoming a mum is definitely, by far, my greatest achievement,” Nadia told Pop Sugar after Aston’s arrival. “Nothing else compares to having a little baby.”
Becoming a dad was also life-changing for Jimmy.
“I think since becoming a father it’s put a lot of things into perspective,” he told WHO. “First and foremost the admiration for my mum has just gone to another level.”
The AFL star also opened up about how Aston’s taken to being a big brother since little Henley arrived.
“Aston tells all his friends at childcare that he’s got a little brother named Henley and he wants to hold him all the time,” he shared. “Every morning he gives him a kiss and when he cries he tells him it’s OK. I think he just wants him to hurry up and start walking so he can play with him more.”
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