Ivan Soldo and Chelsea Becirevic have been in the news for months – often for the wrong reasons – but now Footy’s most high-profile couple is setting the record straight on their relationship.
The Port Power star and his stunning girlfriend first attracted national attention in May this year when she left the country for a new life in Dubai after saying life in Adelaide was a ‘struggle’ and ‘just not permanent for me’.
Her comments sparked a frenzy in Adelaide, where locals did not take kindly to an outburst in Melbourne suggesting their city was ‘too boring’. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Soldo stayed behind to play football.
Becirevic worked as a flight attendant in the Middle Eastern city for several months before returning home in September. She explained that she ‘hated’ the long distance and missed her ruckman boyfriend.
Since reuniting with Soldo, Becirevic has insisted her comments about Adelaide were wildly misinterpreted, but rumors of her dislike for the City of Churches resurfaced when Soldo was linked with a trade with a Melbourne team. Some footy fans suspected Becirevic was lobbying behind the scenes for the couple to return to the Victorian capital.
Soldo made headlines again when he clashed with great commentator Kane Cornes over the rumored trade. The story gained traction when the couple was depicted have fun on the Gold Coast in some dazzling paparazzi photos.
Now Soldo and Becirevic want to reveal the truth behind the headlines. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Derby Day on Saturday, they opened up about where their relationship is going – and why they won’t be leaving Adelaide anytime soon.
“We’re going to spend another year in Adelaide and just take it as it comes, I think. But we love each other and we are excited about our future,” Soldo revealed.
Ivan Soldo and Chelsea Becirevic scored big marks on Derby Day as they gave Daily Mail Australia an exclusive look at the future of their relationship
Known as Australia’s most popular WAG, Becirevic has been making headlines for months, although she isn’t always happy about the reasons why
When asked whether marriage and children are planned, Becirevic eagerly replied: “Hopefully!” before Soldo added: “Commitment first. I have to ask the question first, you have to do it first.
“We make a promise, then the engagement, everything.”
Soldo also revealed that the strength of their romance has been a rock for the couple as they have often made headlines in controversial ways.
“It’s really a duck’s nest,” he said of the criticism their relationship has faced.
“You have to have a very thick skin in this world, but we have each other and that’s all that matters.”
While her husband will play for Port again in 2025, Becirevic opened up about what lies ahead for her career – and how she feels about spending more time in Adelaide.
“Right now I’m just staying close to my family, trying to get settled in Adelaide, sorting out the house now and making plans for the future,” she said.
The footy couple hope to get engaged in the future – with Chelsea revealing she is hopeful they will have a child together
Soldo has urged his partner to take up modeling – and she said there are ‘some things in the works’ to make that happen
Before moving to Adelaide, Becirevic said she had heard “mixed reviews”. Her Instagram posts announcing she was leaving for Dubai – and Soldo’s heartbroken reaction – made headlines
“People misinterpreted what I said. I have never discriminated against Adelaide. I love Adelaide, I’ve lived there for the past year.
‘My favorite thing is the beaches; they have beautiful beaches.’
Becirevic’s appearance has led to her being dubbed ‘Australia’s hottest WAG’ – a title she described as ‘sweet’ and ‘very nice’, while emphasizing that they are other people’s words and not hers.
Modeling seems like a natural career for the 24-year-old, and while she isn’t currently in that line of work, it looks like that’s about to change.
“I keep telling her to do that [model]Soldo said.
“We have some things in the works,” Becirevic added.
‘I can’t say much at the moment. We are working on a number of things.’
While the trade to a Melbourne team recently hit a hurdle when St Kilda reportedly withdrew their interest, a move to the football capital is certainly attractive for the couple.
“I have a lot of family in Melbourne,” Soldo explained.
‘My mother is one of the eleven [children] so I have over thirty cousins there.
The couple are excited to be living in Adelaide for the next year while Ivan remains at Port Power – despite the furor over Chelsea’s comments about the City of Churches, which she says have been hugely misinterpreted.
Soldo has credited the strength of his relationship with Chelsea, 24, with getting them through intense scrutiny: ‘We have each other and that’s all that matters’
‘If I wanted to end my career somewhere… I would definitely consider all my options.
‘Maybe also start the coaching process – or look for media opportunities.’
Last month, Becirevic hit back at online trolls who had bullied her on social media.
“I’m honestly fed up with this ridiculous story that keeps circulating,” she said on Instagram.
‘I have been silent for far too long, but it is time to set the record straight. Somehow I have become the center of attention for a profession that has nothing to do with me.
‘Not that it’s anyone’s business, but I returned from Dubai to support my boyfriend and somehow I find myself being dragged by the media.
‘It’s disappointing to see the same old story where the girl is blamed for everything. Let’s be clear: I have never spoken badly about Adelaide either.’
Meanwhile, Soldo hit back at Cornes after the former Port star criticized him for alleged character issues when he failed to attend the team’s best and fairest awards ceremony last month.
“Let’s clear some things up: the ONLY reason I didn’t attend PAFC in the best and fairest way possible was because I was the best man on the same night as my best friend’s wedding. In which the club fully supported me to attend. If that reflects poorly on my character, then our Kane values are clearly not aligned,” he wrote on Instagram.
‘As far as trade is concerned [to a Melbourne Club]this happens every year and it’s just special [sic] off the track. I still have a contract with Port and have no intention of leaving.
‘The bullying and hatred towards my partner must also stop, this backwards story is getting old.’
Soldo’s statement came as Power boss Chris Davies told AFL Trade Radio the player had been cleared to attend the wedding and would likely remain in Port Adelaide.
“I don’t think Ivan has settled in Adelaide the way he would have liked and perhaps the way we would have liked, and we have a role to play in that,” Davies said.