Francesco Totti's model ex-wife says footy icon was 'always jealous of me' in cheating row

Roma legend Francesco Totti was embroiled in a bitter divorce with ex-wife Ilary Blasi who finally opened up about the breakdown of their marriage

The ex-wife of Roma legend Francesco Totti's has spoken publicly about the pair's bitter divorce for the first time.

Ilary Blasi had been begun dating the 2006 World Cup winner in 2001 - the year he won the only Serie A title in his career - as the pair's popularity as a couple exploded in Italy. Having gotten married in 2005, they enjoyed a long marriage before separating last year and becoming embroiled in a nasty divorce.

Totti, 47, accused Blasi, 42, of being unfaithful and admitted the breakdown of their marriage had resulted in him suffering depression. The television host has finally opened up about their relationship during an appearance on an Italian TV chat show.

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"I spent a year and a half observing and understanding what had happened. I have read and listened to all the different points of view and opinions. But it was my story and I always put my face in everything I did. So this time it seemed good to me too say it,' Blasi said on Italian TV chat show, Verissimo.

She further claimed: "Francesco has always been jealous of me, his jealousy was nothing new." The Roma icon claimed that she had cheated on him but he didn't want to speak out in order to protect their three children.

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"It is not true that I was the first to betray,' Totti told Marca last year. I said I was not going to speak and I did not, but I have read too many hoaxes in recent weeks. Some have even made my children suffer."

Blasi, however, refutes her ex-husband's claims as she said she had attempted to save their marriage but to no avail. "He is the father of my children. Maybe he was confused, scared, maybe it was a route of easier escape, but nothing like what we feel these days," she added.

"Other betrayals? Probably yes, but I have no proof. In my heart, now I say yes. I tried every means to save this marriage and did what a wife and mother should do. But it didn't work."

The pair have since moved on from their divorce with Totti dating new girlfriend Noemi Bocchi - who he lives with - while Blasi is in a romance with German footballer Bastian Muller.