NY Bloger

Baseball star Alex Rodriguez “emotionally abandoned his wife and children”, divorce papers have claimed. The 32-year-old New York Yankees hero – worth $450million – has been linked with Hung Up singer Madonna.

The singer received some support yesterday from the visiting Gwyneth Paltrow as speculation surrounding a possible marriage break up continues to grow, following the release of A-Rod’s dirvorce papers.

His wife Cynthia’s lawyer Maurice Kutner said his association with the superstar was “the latest situation in a series of events” that doomed their six-year marriage.

Alex, dubbed A-Rod, is accused by the legal team of having a string of affairs. Reports claim he made a series of visits to Madonna’s New York flat. But Cynthia’s lawyers do not allege any sexual relationship.

A-Rod also converted to the singer’s Kabbalah faith and has become “brain-washed” by the religion, say sources close to his wife. And it is claimed that after the birth of his second daughter in April, A-Rod spent just a day with the baby in Miami before reportedly returning to New York to see Madonna. The married singer was not named in the divorce papers, filed in Miami.

She strongly denies an affair with A-Rod, America’s highest-paid baseball idol.

Cynthia’s court papers blame “the husband’s extra-marital affairs and other marital misconduct”. Mr Kutner said: “She feels she has exhausted every opportunity to salvage the marriage, and that Alex emotionally abandoned her and the children.”

Cynthia, 34, is expected to demand up to $100million in the divorce settlement plus custody of daughters Natasha, three, and new arrival Ella.

Earle Lilly, another of Cynthia’s lawyers, claimed A-Rod and Madonna “are still together” – although last night the singer was with husband Guy Ritchie in New York.

Mr Lilly said A-Rod was smitten with Madonna, but added: “The correct analysis is a relationship. Some people categorise an affair as sexual infidelity. We’re not claiming that – it’s an affair of the heart.”

Madonna, 49, said in a statement: “I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez. I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study.”

A-Rod has hired a top divorce lawyer and is expected to file a counter-petition this week. He has refused to comment on his marriage or rumors linking him with Madonna.