Jimmy Bartel breaks his silence on marriage split from wife Nadia

Jimmy Bartel has finally addressed his split from wife Nadia, following mounting speculation in recent days. 

The retired AFL star, 35, seemed to confirm the split while appearing on 3AW’s pre-match coverage on Saturday and insisted it was a ‘private matter’. 

Suggesting things have been difficult for himself and his wife of five years, Nadia, 34, Jimmy said on air: ‘It’s not great.’

He refused to go into any further detail surrounding their break up, adding: ‘I am probably not going to provide any commentary on it.

‘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.’  

Earlier this week, sources revealed the couple had ‘parted ways’ and reports later claimed the sports star has already ‘moved on’ from Nadia with Melbourne socialite Lauren Mand. 

Speaking out:  ‘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,’ he said, appearing to confirm the split

New love? Reports claim Jimmy has already ‘moved on’ from wife of five years Nadia with Melbourne socialite Lauren Mand (pictured above)

The Herald Sun alleges Jimmy began seeing the blonde beauty ‘recently,’ but no further timeline or details are provided. 

The paper goes on to claim that ‘sources close to Nadia and Jimmy’ say they separated ‘in early July and are not speaking to one another’.

An unnamed friend of the estranged couple also says that WAG Nadia was ‘blindsided’ by the split. 

Enjoys the finer things in life? A glamorous photo of the blonde socialite sipping champagne indicates that she’s a perfect fit for the lifestyle of a WAG 

Nadia hasn’t worn her wedding ring for weeks and the pair have unfollowed each other on Instagram. 

They were last pictured together on social media back in June, when they were both guests at a friend’s wedding in Melbourne. 

And while details surrounding the breakup have not yet been made public, there were already signs of trouble in paradise months ago.

Red hot! Lauren shows off her slender frame in a tight red mini-dress in a stunning photo shared to social media 

In April, as her relationship reportedly fell apart, Nadia distracted herself from the heartbreak by heading for a girls’ weekend at the Coachella music festival. 

Nadia joined her fellow WAGs, including Jessie Murphy, Kylie Brown and Rebecca Judd, and jetted off to Palm Springs, California. 

The star’s trip to Coachella came just four months before news of her split from Jimmy surfaced, with a source telling the Herald Sun this week the couple had parted ways. 

All over? Nadia hasn’t worn her wedding ring for weeks and the pair have unfollowed each other on Instagram

On Thursday, Jimmy was pictured in public for the first time since reports of his split with Nadia hit the media. 

Jimmy stepped out without his wedding ring while taking his two children to the pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

He looked downcast and tired, with visible bags under his eyes following his recent separation from his glamorous wife.

The former Geelong player had also looked ‘solemn and withdrawn’ while keeping a low profile at the family home in Melbourne on Wednesday, according to a source.

Getaway: In April, as her relationship fell apart, Nadia distracted herself from the heartbreak by heading for a girls’ weekend at the Coachella music festival

Meanwhile, fashion blogger Nadia is believed to be out of town on business. 

Nadia, who also hasn’t been wearing her wedding ring in recent weeks, shared a cryptic post to Instagram on Thursday morning but did not directly address the split.

She posted a quote that read: ‘People who resonate with your energy will always be there. Y’all are on the same frequency, you are aligned together. It’s a soul family. Know your members.’

Spotted: Jimmy stepped out without his wedding ring while taking his two children to the pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Thursday

She added the caption, ‘You all know who you are’, alongside a kiss emoji.

Nadia and Jimmy first met in 2008 while attending the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix. The former Geelong Cats player proposed four years later in Mexico.

The couple then married in an elaborate wedding on the Bellarine Peninsula in 2014. 

The Bartels have two sons: Three-year-old Aston and nine-month-old Henley. 

Family: Nadia and Jimmy first met in 2008 then married in 2014. They have two sons: Three-year-old Aston and nine-month-old Henley (all pictured)