NFL superstar Tom Brady and supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen are reportedly 'living apart' as the power couple attempt to salvage their relationship after the quarterback came out of retirement just 48 days after initially walking away from the sport.
Back in February, Brady - a seven-time Super Bowl champion - retired from the NFL after 22 years. However, he made a swift u-turn on his decision and returned amid much fanfare before taking an unprecedented 11-day 'leave of absence' in the middle of training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with his absence labeled as 'personal reasons'.
The couple, who tied the knot back in 2009, are dealing with 'marital issues' - according to a source close to the couple. And another close source to Bundchen told CNN they are 'living separately’.
Mirror Sport has contacted Brady and Bundchen's representatives for comment.
During a recent interview, Bundchen gave insight into her thoughts regarding Brady’s decision to come out of retirement in March, noting she would like the four-time MVP to be 'more present' in their family life. She also expressed concerns about the 45-year-old returning to the field for a 23rd campaign.
Speaking to Elle magazine, Bundchen said: “This is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present. I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again.
“But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy, too.”
The 42-year-old appeared to suggest she had done her part in terms of making their relationship work, adding: “I moved to Boston, and I focused on creating a cocoon and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and to be there supporting him and his dreams.
“Seeing my children succeed and become the beautiful little humans that they are, seeing him succeed, and being fulfilled in his career - it makes me happy. At this point in my life, I feel like I've done a good job on that.”
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While she clearly wants Brady to be around and more involved in family life, Bundchen also conceded he needed to make a decision that was right for him when it comes to walking away from football. During his ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast with co-host Jim Gray on Tuesday, Brady noted the impact of his decades of playing in the NFL in terms of his priorities.
“I haven't had a Christmas in 23 years and I haven't had a Thanksgiving in 23 years, I haven't celebrated birthdays with people that I care about that are born from August to late January,” Brady said. “And I'm not able to be at funerals and I'm not able to be at weddings.
“I think there comes a point in your life where you say: 'You know what? I've had my fill and it's enough and time to go on, to move into other parts of life’.”
During his 11-day absence, Brady spent most of his time off at a private resort in the Bahamas with his family, according to NFL.com . His first game of the 2022 NFL season was on Sunday night, and while Bundchen was not in attendance, she tweeted her support before Brady led the Bucs to a 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Brady will be a free agent after the conclusion of the 2022 season, and he appears set to finally retire. It will give him free time to spend with his family, although he has his post-NFL plans already in place after he inked a 10-year contract worth $375 million to become the lead analyst for FOX Sports.
