Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked to a stunning TV reporter following confirmation of his split from Russian model Irina Shayk.

Gorgeous Spanish sports reporter Lucia Villalon is rumoured to be dating Cristiano Ronaldo after the pair were pictured celebrating the striker’s third Ballon d’Or win on their way back from Zurich.

Speculation Irina and Cristiano’s near-five year relationship was over first surfaced after Irina, 29, missed the glitzy ceremony last week following her decision to unfollow her ex on Twitter.

Pretty brunette Lucia Villalon, who was in Zurich, started tongues wagging after posting a selfie on Twitter of her and Ronaldo holding his Ballon d'Or on the plane to Madrid.

State broadcaster RTE named law and journalism graduate Lucia as Cristiano’s possible new girlfriend on a morning show today. Several Spanish newspapers including heavyweight ABC echoed the rumours later on.

There was Twitter silence from both Cristiano and the 26-year-old reporter for Real Madrid's official club channel Real Madrid TV, this afternoon.