Petr Cech has announced that his 26-year relationship with wife Martina has come to an end, bringing to a close a partnership that began when they were teenagers and spanned his entire football career.
The 43-year-old Chelsea and Arsenal legend shared the news on Instagram, posting a short but heartfelt statement alongside a black-and-white photograph of Martina kissing him on the cheek.
Despite the separation, Cech made it clear there is no animosity between them.
“Martina and myself are sad to announce that we are separating after 26 years together," he said.
Petr Cech has announced that his 26-year relationship with wife Martina has come to an end, bringing to a close a partnership that began when they were teenagers and spanned his entire football career
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"We remain best friends and immensely proud of our two children."
The couple first met in 1999 and tied the knot in June 2003, just a year before Čech moved to Stamford Bridge from Rennes in a £7million deal.
Martina was a constant presence throughout his career, which saw him become one of the Premier League’s most decorated goalkeepers.
Together they share two children who are both following in their father’s sporting footsteps.
Their daughter Adela, 17, is a defender who plays for the Czech Republic Under-17 national team.
Their son Damian, 16, has recently signed his first professional contract with Fulham as a goalkeeper, echoing his father’s position.
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Petr Cech remains on good terms with Martina Cech despite the couple splitting after 26 years together
|In January 2008, Cech famously missed Adela’s birth because he was away with Chelsea for a League Cup semi-final against Everton.
Although he was not in the matchday squad, with Hilário starting in goal, the Blues won the tie 2-1.
Cech’s playing career was nothing short of remarkable.
After joining Chelsea in 2004, he went on to make 494 appearances for the club, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and three League Cups.
He was also pivotal in Chelsea’s historic Champions League triumph in 2012, producing a string of vital saves in the final against Bayern Munich.
In 2015, he crossed London to join Arsenal, where he added another FA Cup medal before retiring in 2019.
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Petr Cech established himself as a Premier League legend during his time with Chelsea
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Retirement from football did not mean leaving sport entirely, with the 43-year-old switching to ice hockey, playing as a goaltender.
He also worked behind the scenes as Chelsea’s technical and performance advisor until 2022, when he stepped down following Todd Boehly’s takeover.
The announcement of his separation marks a personal change for the former goalkeeper, but his message suggested that both he and Martina remain committed to a positive relationship for the sake of their children.