Former Premier League Forward Marco Borriello Claimed '37 times a day' With Playboy Model Before Cream-Related Ban

Former Premier League striker Marco Borriello's brief loan spell at West Ham during the 2013-14 season may not be his most memorable chapter. The Italian forward made just two appearances without scoring before injury cut his stay short. Yet his off-field life, particularly his relationship with Argentine-Italian TV personality and Playboy model Belen Rodriguez, drew far more attention.

Marco Borriello had a forgettable spell at West Ham

The pair met at a nightclub in 2004 and quickly became one of Italy's most talked-about couples. Borriello, who debuted for AC Milan in 2002 at age 20, faced a career setback in late 2006 when he tested positive for the prohibited steroid hormone prednisolone. He attributed the result to a topical treatment Rodriguez recommended for a sexually transmitted infection, claiming he was unaware the ointment contained cortisone. Rodriguez later stated she had given him misguided advice and exaggerated details in interviews.

Belen Rodriguez opened up on the drugs ban

The explanation did not prevent a ban that ruled Borriello out for the remainder of the season, causing him to miss AC Milan's 2007 Champions League final triumph over Liverpool. Tabloid reports at the time also cited claims that the couple had been intimate up to 37 times in a single day, a figure both later addressed with varying degrees of seriousness.

Belen Rodríguez is something of a sex symbol in Italy

In a 2023 interview with Corriere della Sera, Borriello reflected on the relationship as a bitter, immature chapter between two young people, adding that he still holds fondness for Rodriguez. She has since continued her career as a media personality in Italy, remaining a prominent figure in entertainment news.