Luka Doncic Faces Custody Battle Amid Engagement Separation

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has announced his separation from fiancée Anamaria Goltes, coinciding with a custody battle over their two daughters, Gabriela and Olivia. Doncic stated, "I love my daughters more than anything and I've been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn't been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement." This decision follows Goltes filing a petition for child support and attorney fees in California, where Doncic has been living and playing basketball.

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Doncic and Goltes, who have known each other since childhood, began dating in 2016 and became engaged in July 2023. Their first daughter, Gabriela, was born in November 2023 in the United States, while their second daughter, Olivia, was born in December 2023 in Slovenia. The couple's relationship has faced challenges, particularly following Doncic's trade to the Lakers, which has impacted their family dynamics.

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Luka Doncic, 27, is a prominent NBA player who recently signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers. Anamaria Goltes, 27, is a fashion and fitness model. Their relationship has garnered public attention, especially with the recent developments regarding their engagement and custody issues.

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In his statement, Doncic emphasized his commitment to his daughters' well-being, asserting that he has always provided for them financially. Sources indicate that he was unaware of Goltes's petition for child support until it was filed. Following the birth of Olivia, a disagreement arose between the couple regarding the custody of their daughters, leading to police involvement, although no criminal offense was detected.

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The public's reaction to the couple's separation has included speculation, particularly after Goltes deleted all photos of them together from her Instagram account. This action has fueled discussions about the state of their relationship and the custody battle.

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While Doncic has expressed a desire to have his daughters with him in the U.S., sources indicate that he has only seen them for two days since returning to Los Angeles for Lakers training camp. The details surrounding the custody arrangements and Goltes's petition remain unclear, with no public statements from Goltes regarding the situation.

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• "I love my daughters more than anything and I've been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season." — Luka Doncic

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• "I don't even know how to describe it. It was a lot. I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me." — Luka Doncic

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As Doncic navigates this personal turmoil, he continues to perform at a high level on the court, averaging 32.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in his first full season with the Lakers.

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