Alex Rodriguez, the baseball star romantically linked to Madonna, has
reportedly asked his wife for a divorce.

The 34-year-old sportsman allegedly told his wife Cynthia he wanted to end
their five-year marriage because Madonna - whose marriage to Guy Ritchie is
also said to be on the rocks - is his "spiritual soulmate".

A source close to Alex - who was seen without his wedding ring earlier this
week - told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Alex said he and Madonna are
spiritual soulmates, and she has helped introduce him to Kabbalah."

Cynthia is now said to have fled to France to stay with musician Lenny
Kravitz, a close family friend.

The source added: "In recent weeks, Alex has remained in New York while
Cynthia has been at their mansion in Miami. She went to Paris after Lenny
offered a shoulder to cry on over her split. Cynthia is devastated and
needed to get away."

Pics: Carlos Leon and daughter Lourdes Leon hail a taxi outside Madonna's apartment in the Upper West Side - 07/04/08

According to a family friend, "tearful" Cynthia believes Madonna
brain-washed Alex.

The pal told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Cynthia said, 'I feel like
Madonna is using mind control over him. I don't recognize the man he has
become. He was a sweet, beautiful, loving husband and father. Today he's very cold and calculating..' "

"I believe he was having an affair with Madonna," Cynthia told a friend, who spoke anonymously for fear of angering A-Rod. "She said she found a letter where Alex told Madonna: 'You are my true soulmate.'"

Alex - who last year was rumored to be having an affair with a stripper -
is said to have become friendly with Madonna, 49, after they met at a gym.

Madonna's spokesperson, Liz Rosenberg, has denied the relationship
reports, insisting the pair are "just friends".

She said: "Madonna and Alex have the same manager, Guy Oseary. They know
each other and Madonna took her kids to a New York Yankees game last week.
There's really not anything to comment beyond that."

Liz also denied that Madonna and Guy are set to divorce, following
persistent rumors that have dogged the couple for weeks.

Meanwhile, rocker Lenny Kravitz - who has been linked with Madonna in the past - has
dismissed rumors of a romance between him and Cynthia.

He said: "There is absolutely no affair between Cynthia Rodriguez and
myself. This is unequivocally 100 per cent not true. Cynthia is a friend and
is here with the godfather of her baby, who is also Alex's trainer, his wife
and their baby girl."

Cynthia gave birth to the couple's second child, Ella Alexander, in April.

View yesterday's Madonna/Guy/Alex Post: Click Now!