Chelsea Legend Announces Divorce After 26 Years of Marriage

Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has publicly shared that he and his wife, Martina, are separating after being together for 26 years.

The 43-year-old revealed the news on Instagram with an emotional message accompanied by a black-and-white photo of himself and Martina, where she is planting a kiss on his cheek. He expressed that both he and his wife are saddened by the decision but remain close friends. The couple have two children, Damian and Adela, both of whom are pursuing football careers.

Petr and Martina met in high school in 1999 and married in 2003. Despite their separation, Cech emphasized they still consider each other best friends and are proud parents.

Their daughter, Adela, plays as a defender for Fulham and Czechia U17s, and recently made her international debut. She joined Fulham’s youth team and debuted for the Czech youth team in February. She is regarded as a promising defender by her coach, Daniel Smejkal.

Her brother Damian, a goalkeeper like his father, signed his first professional contract with Fulham earlier this year and previously played for Chelsea’s youth team. Damian debuted for Czechia’s U18s at age 15.

Petr Cech, who spent over a decade at Chelsea, also played for Arsenal before retiring. He previously commented that he didn’t pressure his children into football; they followed in his footsteps naturally and have been compared to him since childhood.