Brazil icon Adriano is blamed for breaking up his country's most famous couple

Brazil football legend Adriano has been blamed for the break-up of one of his country's most famous couples.

Model Gracyanne Barbosa, 40, and singer Belo, 50, were married for nearly 13 years, first starting dating in 2007 before tying the knot in June 2011.

Barbosa is a fitness model, born in Mato Grosso do Sul, and has appeared in the likes of Brazil's Playboy and gained fame with a workout video in 2012 when photos of her squatting 450lbs went viral.

Belo, meanwhile, real name Marcelo Pires Vieira, is a popular singer in South America and was previously married to model and actress Viviane Araujo before meeting Barbosa.

It is, however, thought their relationship is now over, with the former forward accused of being responsible - though he is threatening to sue over the allegations.

According to Brazilian journalist Bruno Di Simone, Adriano, 46, who reportedly split from his wife Micaela Mesquita after just 24 days of marriage because he 'disappeared for two days to watch the World Cup' in 2022, was involved in a threesome alongside the couple, which led to Barbosa falling in love with the now-42-year-old.

It is said that Belo noticed the relationship between the two during the sex act, and they continued said relationship after.

The player himself, however, took to social media to deny the claims and promised to take action.

He posted online: ''Hello guys. Once again, do you see this controversy that you are inventing about me, about Belo, Gracianne and I? I don't even know what this trio thing is that you are talking about.

'I have the greatest respect for Belo, I never dated Gracianne. I'm going to make it very clear here, this guy, who says this about me, who made this up about me, you can be sure that he will be sued because this does not exist, I have never done this.

'All of this is a lie, I never did this trios thing, that's the truth.'

Barbosa and Belo confirmed their separation in a joint social media post.

Adriano is famous for playing for the likes of Inter Milan and Flamengo during his illustrious career, also starring for Brazil, making 48 appearances for his national side.

He retired in 2016 at the age of 34, having won 14 major honours in his career including four Serie A titles with Inter.

Making his Brazil debut at 18, he was considered the long-term successor to Ronaldo, but it is suggested he failed to live up to expectations due to off-field activities such as drinking.