Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has publicly announced the end of his engagement to Anamaria Goltes and is now embroiled in a custody battle for their two young daughters. The NBA star revealed this personal turmoil in a statement to ESPN, marking his first public comments on the matter after months of speculation about his relationship status.
Doncic Speaks Out on Engagement Split and Custody Fight
In his emotional statement, Doncic expressed his unwavering commitment to his daughters, stating, '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.' He further emphasized, 'Everything I do is for my daughters' happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.'
Child Support Petition Filed Hours Before Statement
Just hours before Doncic's public revelation, TMZ reported that Goltes had filed a legal petition in California seeking child support and attorney fees from the $165 million NBA star. Notably, the petition did not include a custody order request. According to the document, Goltes moved back to Slovenia with their eldest daughter in May 2025 and has remained there since, giving birth to their second daughter in December 2025.
Relationship Timeline and Recent Tensions
Doncic and Goltes, childhood sweethearts who dated for seven years, got engaged in July 2023. Their relationship showed signs of strain in January when Goltes posted a cryptic social media message about 'a decade of hard lessons,' with Doncic noticeably absent from the post. The situation escalated in December when Doncic flew to Slovenia for the birth of his second daughter, Olivia.
During that December visit, ESPN reports that Doncic expressed his desire to bring his two-year-old daughter Gabriela back to California with him. This led to a disagreement that resulted in police being called to the hospital maternity ward. Authorities reportedly 'did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor perpetrated by Doncic.' The player has not seen his ex-fiancée or daughters since that incident, returning to the United States the same day.
Doncic's Emotional Response and Current Situation
Upon returning to the Lakers, Doncic hinted at the difficult experience, telling reporters, '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. But it was definitely a rollercoaster.' ESPN also reports that Doncic had 'no idea' Goltes had filed the child support petition, which comes just six months after he signed his massive $165 million contract extension with the Lakers.
The timing of these personal developments coincides with Doncic's professional commitments, as he is scheduled to play for the Lakers tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. The custody battle and relationship dissolution represent significant personal challenges for the basketball star as he navigates both his family life and NBA career.
