‘I wouldn’t touch him’: Port star Ivan Soldo cops blunt reality check
Port Adelaide star Ivan Soldo has copped a blunt reality check just months after his influencer partner returned to Melbourne.
Kane Cornes has delivered a blunt reality check to AFL teams attempting to trade for Port Adelaide ruckman Ivan Soldo.
Soldo remains contracted with the Power until the end of the 2026 season, but has been in the thick of trade rumours for more than a year.
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The rumour mill erupted last season when Soldo requested a trade back to Victoria with reports emerging it was due to his partner’s unhappiness in the city.
Chelsea Becirevic hit out at those reports last year before she returned to live in Melbourne in the middle of this year.
With the two now living in separate cities, Soldo is reportedly keen to return back to Victoria with clubs believing he is gettable at the trade table.
“Victorian clubs looking for ruck depth believe Ivan Soldo is again a trade option this year,” Tom Morris wrote on X.
“The ruck was keen to get to St Kilda in 2024, it didn’t work out, but he’s open to any Vic club now.”
Despite his desire to move back to be closer with his partner, Cornes has warned clubs about going after him.
“I would be a big no on Ivan Soldo,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio.
“I wouldn’t touch him if I am another club.
“He has been the worst recruit Port Adelaide have ever had.
“If you’re a team looking at him, do not get seduced.”
If teams are to take Cornes’ words of warning, it means the 2023 premiership star and his influencer partner will have to date long-distance.
Something that would be familiar ground for the couple.
The influencer briefly moved to Dubai in May 2024 to work as an Emirates flight attendant but gave up the role in September to be with her footballer boyfriend back home in Australia.
She claimed that she “hated” being in a long-distance relationship, which was part of the reason why she came home, along with job dissatisfaction.
The 24-year-old model returned to Melbourne this year ahead of the launch of their new fashion brand.
Soldo, if unable to be traded, will remain in Adelaide at their shared home throughout the AFL season before he comes out of contract at the end of the 2026 season.
Originally published as ‘I wouldn’t touch him’: Port star Ivan Soldo cops blunt reality check
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