A-Rod: 'Madonna and I are just friends'

Alex 'A-Rod' Rodriguez has said that his relationship with Madonna is strictly a platonic one.

The New York Yankees baseball star told People: "We're friends - that's it."

Rodriguez admitted that continuing rumours about a romance with the pop icon are an increasing source of frustration.

Responding to reports that he has jetted across America to spend time with her, he said: "I can tell you this. I have never been on a plane with her."

Rodriguez also dismissed talk that he has been following Madonna's 'Sticky & Sweet' tour.

"I've been to two [of her] concerts, yet I've read that I went to 20," he commented. "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."