Luka Doncic, point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, is facing a deeply personal challenge off the court, as a legal battle emerges following his breakup with long-term partner Anamaria Goltes.
According to recent reports, the couple’s split has escalated into a complex international dispute over their two young daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, after Goltes relocated to Slovenia last May.
The NBA star, 27, confirmed the end of their engagement last week, following a petition filed by Goltes seeking child support and coverage of attorney fees.
The former couple first met at age 12 during a holiday on Croatia’s island of Krk, maintaining a long-distance relationship as Doncic pursued his career with Real Madrid’s basketball academy.
They later moved to the United States, where their first daughter was born in November 2023, a U.S. citizen, while their second daughter, Olivia, was born in Slovenia last December.
During his recent trip to Slovenia to witness Olivia‘s birth, Doncic reportedly requested that Goltes allow Gabriela to return to California with him.
However, discussions reportedly became heated, prompting police involvement at Kranj Maternity Hospital on December 6. Authorities confirmed no criminal activity occurred, noting that Doncic left peacefully.
This dispute highlights the tension between parental rights and international jurisdiction. Doncic has filed an interim injunction demanding immediate access to his daughters, emphasizing that he has seen them for only two days since beginning his training camp with the Lakers last year.
“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the US during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic stated publicly.
The complexities of a transatlantic custody dispute
Goltes, 28, currently resides in Smlednik, a secluded Slovenian village about 12 miles north of Ljubljana.
The couple previously purchased a $2 million villa there, situated on a private estate near the Cubo Golf Club, featuring luxury amenities including a basketball court and tennis court.
While Goltes has remained largely silent, she posted a cryptic social media message in January referencing “a decade of hard lessons,” offering no mention of Doncic or their children.
Legal experts suggest that the case could become a protracted transatlantic dispute, particularly because Gabriela is a U.S. citizen while Olivia is not.
The differing legal frameworks between Slovenia and the United States may complicate attempts to establish custody and visitation rights.
Meanwhile, Doncic continues to fulfill his professional obligations with the Lakers, stating, “That’s life, I don’t know what to say. But that’s my job so I have to be here. They pay me a lot to play for them so… and also basketball gives me some kind of peace when I play a game.”
The situation underscores the challenges high-profile athletes face when personal matters intersect with international boundaries and demanding professional commitments.
As Doncic pursues legal avenues to see his daughters, the coming months are expected to reveal the contours of a bitter custody battle that may have lasting consequences for both parents and children.
With tensions already high and both parties maintaining separate residences across continents, the custody dispute is poised to dominate headlines, making this one of the most closely watched personal legal battles involving an NBA star in recent memory.
Read the full article here
