Football legend splits from girlfriend 35 years his junior after being accused of cheating

The situation has been characterised as a particularly painful betrayal given that Cavalcanti belonged to Barcelos's close circle of friends.

The pair had previously holidayed together as a trio, with photographs from their travels appearing on social media during happier times in the relationship.

The split followed reports that the 1994 World Cup winner was seen alongside Cavalcanti at Fernando de Noronha, one of Brazil's most popular tourist destinations.

Images emerged showing the pair together within a group of friends, while some onlookers claimed to have witnessed them holding hands.

According to The Sun, Barcelos had been with Romario just days before the trip, joining him for an informal football match in Rio de Janeiro.

However, matters reportedly soured when she learned she would not be accompanying him to the island retreat, only to discover her friend would be present instead.

Barcelos swiftly unfollowed both Romario and Cavalcanti on social media, whilst also removing his comments from her posts.

Throughout their relationship, Romario had been openly affectionate towards Barcelos, frequently describing her as "beautiful" and "wonderful" in public comments online.

The couple had travelled together to destinations including Buenos Aires during their time together.

Their romance first became public during February's Carnival festivities, when photographers captured them walking hand in hand.

Remarkably, Barcelos represented the third woman linked to the former Barcelona forward in the space of just four months.

Prior to their relationship, he had briefly reunited with former partner Bruna Machado, with the pair attending an event together in November.

Before that, he had been in a relationship with 23-year-old student Alicya Gomes, with whom he remained in contact even after their separation.

During his playing career, Romario established himself among the finest strikers of the late 1980s and 1990s, renowned for his clinical finishing and exceptional positioning in front of goal.

His crowning moment arrived when he led Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, a performance that earned him the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Since hanging up his boots, the former forward has pursued a career in politics and currently serves as a Brazilian senator, where he focuses on social and sporting matters.

None of the three individuals involved in the reported split have issued any public statement regarding the circumstances of the break-up.