Madonna's A-Rod friend

Dec 5, 2008, 9:20 GMT

Alex 'A-Rod' Rodriguez says he and Madonna are just "friends".

Speaking for the first time about Madonna, the baseball player - who was first linked to the 50-year-old singer earlier this year - insists there is no romance between the pair, and rumours about a relationship are "ridiculous".

Alex, 33, said: "We're friends - we're friends and that's it. I've been to two of her concerts, yet I've read that I went to 20. I've also read that we were buying an apartment together. That is absolutely ridiculous and not true.

"You have to have a sense of humour when it comes to this stuff, if I answered every rumour we'd be here for three weeks."

Alex also revealed he and Madonna became close friends because they share philanthropic interests, and says he is now a keen supporter of her Raising Malawi charity, which is dedicated to helping the one million orphans in the African country.

He added to People magazine: "I initially knew nothing about her charity. But after being invited to one of Madonna's fundraisers, I found we shared a lot of the same commitments toward helping children. I was very moved by the whole thing.

"I saw the documentary she made as well, 'I Am Because We Are', and it was very inspiring and informative. I saw an opportunity to help and I jumped at that."

Meanwhile, Alex - who has two children with ex-wife Cynthia - has been romantically linked to model Melissa Britos, after meeting her at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach opening party in November.

A source said: "He became obsessed with her. He sent her at least a dozen text messages, asking her to spend time with him."