- Iván Soldo responds to criticism over trade rumors
- He is currently under contract with Port Adelaide
The ‘fed up’ AFL star boyfriend of Australia’s most popular WAG has hit back at his critics after plans to trade him to a team in Melbourne fell through.
Port Adelaide ruck Ivan Soldo had been scouted by St Kilda during the AFL draft period, which ends on Wednesday.
That would have been music to the ears of teammate Chelsea Becirevic, who had previously said Adelaide had “been a struggle for me” and she couldn’t see herself living there permanently.
The influencer, who had followed Soldo from Richmond to Power, even left Adelaide without her partner to work for an airline in Dubai.
There appeared to be light at the end of the tunnel for Becirevic when the Saints became interested in Soldo as a backup to beat Rowan Marshall for 2025 and a return to Melbourne looked imminent.
However, Nine’s Tom Morris reported that the deal will not go through, with the Saints pulling out of the deal and leaving the big man in the lurch.
Soldo, who did not attend the club’s best and fairest awards night, has been criticized by AFL greats Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes for “character” issues following the saga, and now Soldo has lashed out in response.
“Honestly, I’m sick of this ridiculous narrative that doesn’t seem to stop circulating,” he posted on Instagram.
Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo has responded to critics and trolls attacking his partner online.
In a social media post, Soldo says he has no intention of leaving Port Adelaide.
‘Let’s get a few things straight, the ONLY reason I didn’t attend PAFC better and fairer was because it was the same night as my best friends’ wedding, where I was best man. Which the club fully supported me to attend. If that reflects poorly on my character, then Kane, our values clearly don’t align.
‘As far as trade is concerned, this happens every year and is simply part (sic) of the job. I still have a contract with the port and I have no intention of leaving.
“Also, the bullying and hate towards my partner needs to stop too, this backwards narrative is getting old.”
Soldo’s statement came as Power boss Chris Davies told AFL Trade Radio the player had permission to be at the wedding and would likely stay in Port Adelaide.
“I think Ivan hasn’t settled into Adelaide as he would have liked and perhaps as we would have liked, and we have a part to play in that,” Davies said.
Chelsea Becirevic told her fans she was struggling in Adelaide before Soldo became involved in a potential move to St Kilda, but now appears to have backfired.
Soldo (pictured with Becirevic) is convinced he will see out the remainder of his contract with the Power.
“We have to try to help him adjust to the city a little more and if he can’t do that, we’ll probably be in this situation again next year.”
“Unless something happens today, he will return to our club and fight for a place in the ruck.
“I think he’ll probably stay.”
It now appears that Soldo will see out the remainder of his contract at Port Adelaide which expires in 2026.