Alex Rodriguez was pictured getting very close to his ex-fiancé Jennifer Lopez’s super-yacht on Monday in Saint-Tropez, as he was seen jet-skiing around the singer’s rented $130M vessel with his pals.
ARod, who turns 46 today, was riding with his bikini-clad NFL presenter pal Melanie Collins, as well as NFL star Eric Decker and his wife Jesse James Decker, all pictured within a stone’s throw of where JLo had previously been seen putting on a passionate display with on-again boyfriend Ben Affleck.
Taking to the high seas a day ahead of his birthday, the sports star was seen grinning with his pretty blonde companion Melanie, 35, while Jen, 52, and Ben, 48, were nowhere to be seen on their expensive cruiser.
Onlookers noted how ARod and his crew narrowly missed Bennifer’s boat as it left the harbor, where it was making its way to Capri, Italy.
Ben and Jen were later seen arriving in Capri on Tuesday, leaving the coast clear for the former MLB star to celebrate his big day in peace.
Take that, Bennifer! ARod puts on a show on the high seas and gets VERY cozy with pretty blonde NFL presenter on his 46th birthday in St. Tropez… and was pictured jet skiing just a stone’s throw from JLo’s mega-yacht Valerie
That was close! ARod and his friends are seen riding jet skis close to ex JLo’s $130M superyacht, where she had been seen canoodling with on-again beau Ben Affleck just days prior
The ex-baseball player appeared to be in a celebratory mood, as he enjoyed a ride around the waters with bikini-clad Melanie close behind him.
Some reports have suggested they are ‘just friends’ though it seems clear that they have been enjoying one another’s company for his birthday jaunt.
He was also pictured with NFL star Eric, 34, and his wife, singer Jessie, 33, as they enjoyed a day of jet-skiing on his birthday.
ARod and JLo have been seemingly in a battle of the superyachts in Saint-Tropez these past few days, having crossed paths on the French Riviera.
Fun in the sun: ARod was also pictured with NFL star Eric Decker, 34, and his wife, singer Jessie James Decker, 33, as they enjoyed a day of jet-skiing on his birthday
Something to smile about: Although some reports have suggested ARod and Melanie, 35, are ‘just friends’ the pair appear to be getting on famously
Rodriguez is celebrating his birthday tonight on his rented Ocean Paradise yacht, which has an eye-watering price tag of €27,000,000 ($31,860,810) and can hold 12 guests and another 12 crew.
IG official: Ben, 48, and Jen, 52, have been packing on the PDA on their super-yacht
Yet that is no match for Lopez’s Valerie, currently priced at €110,000,000 ($129,817,600) where on Sunday, Affleck and Ms Lopez were seen recreating steamy scenes from her 2002 music video Jenny from the Block.
Jen’s rented 85-metre vessel Valerie was built by Lürssen in 2011 and underwent an extensive refit in 2019. It can accommodate 17 guests in nine well-appointed cabins with space for a 27-strong crew.
The Valerie boasts seven bedrooms across six decks on which to enjoy the voyage, and the theme of wellness runs throughout with a steam room and even a Hamman, said to be decorated with mosaics – according to Boat International. There are also massage rooms and spaces for beauty treatments.
A gym with a panoramic view of the ocean opens out onto an outdoor space with room for dining and a fountain that lights up at night.
Launched in 2011 and refitted in 2019, the vessel has six decks all served by an elevator and has an onboard 20 foot-long pool and a Jacuzzi which is one of five outdoor spaces. With its spectacular outdoor dining area, the boat was designed with London’s iconic hotel Claridge’s in mind.
The main deck and lounge are designed for hosting and centered around a uniquely designed self-playing piano.
The foredeck has enough room for a helicopter to land, while the upper decks contain a lounge, cinema together with several cabins.
Size matters! Lopez’s 85-meter-long vessel, The Valerie, loomed over her former flames’ boat, which clocks in at a mere 55 meters long
How they stack up: There was quite the difference between the two luxury vessels
It has a top-speed of 17 knots (around 20 mph), a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, and a range of 6000 nautical miles, and costs €950,000 ($1,119,000) per week to charter. It is currently on the market for $130M and being sold by Dynamiq Brokerage.
At ‘just’ 55 meters, Rodriguez’s rented superyacht is dwarfed by his ex’s current ocean-cruising vacation home, but still features luxurious amenities to be envious of.
The Ocean Paradise sleeps 12 guests in six rooms, including one master suite with a balcony, and boasts an interior created by designer Mauro Izzo inspired by Zen gardens.
Life in the fast line: The former MLB star and the NFL sports broadcaster are pictured together on his birthday
Splashing around: Melanie, 35, appeared to be having the time of her life while staying close to ARod for the jaunt
All smiles here: While Bennifer have been packing on the PDA, ARod has been having some fun of his own
Glass walls form the layout of the interior, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide clear views of the ocean.
The sun-deck features a jacuzzi, a large covered dining area, an indoor/outdoor gym and a dance floor.
According to a description online, the vessel contains ‘timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating feature throughout to create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere.’
To charter the Ocean Paradise costs €265,000 ($312,000) per week, and with a cruising speed of 15.5 knotts, Rodriguez would be able to out-pace his ex’s yacht over long-distances.
Although he is expected to have around 50 guests for his birthday celebrations, only a lucky few will be staying the night on his Ocean Paradise yacht.
Lopez and Rodriguez ended their engagement in April this year, explaining they were ‘better as friends’ and looked ‘forward to remaining so,’ in a joint statement.
Still, Alex appeared to be more than happy with his fancy cruiser, as he was accompanied by his NFL reporter blonde, who is apparently ‘just friends’ with.
It’s his birthday! ARod shared this photo to Instagram saying: ‘I’m feeling so grateful today, not just for celebrating my big day with my incredible friends and family on this magical trip, but for all of the well-wishes, love and support from everyone.’
Feeling himself: The MLB star also posted this suave shot of himself dressed in all-white
According to PageSix, Alex ‘has been hanging with friends and family on the trip, including Eric and Jessie James Decker. Melanie is good friends with them. They’re all friends and she’ll be at his party,’ a source said.
The source added that Melanie and the Deckers, as well as 50 other guests, are expecting to be partying for A-Rod’s birthday tomorrow.
Aside from being linked to the likes of blonde Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy, A-Rod has remained single since his split with Jen, while her romance with ex Ben has gone into overdrive, moving at warp speed.
Move over A-Rod: Valerie, the superyacht currently priced at €110,000,000 ($129,817,600) where yesterday, Ben and Jen were seen recreating steamy scenes from her 2002 music video Jenny from the Block
Luxe living: Rodriguez – who turns 46 today – has been celebrating his birthday onboard the Ocean Paradise yacht, which has an eye-watering price tag of €27,000,000 ($31,860,810) that can hold a crew of 12 and 12 guests
After flying in to the French Riviera on a luxury private jet, likely a Bombardier Global 7500, at an estimated cost of around $200,000, Bennifer were quickly whisked away to their luxury $130M mega-yacht in the Mediterranean, where they were spotted exchanging kisses and tender embraces on the sun deck.
‘Fifty two!’ declared Lopez in an Instagram video, also celebrating a birthday, as she proudly flaunted her figure in a bikini and elegant flowing beach wrap as she strutted on the deck of the yacht.
It is not known who is paying for the trip, but Affleck is said to be worth $150M while JLo is around three times that at $400M. Meanwhile, A-Rod has a rumored net worth of $350M.