Alex Rodriguez's birthday trip to Italy has been something of a headline hitter thanks to his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez's nearby yacht trip with her rekindled flame Ben Affleck.
Yet the sportsman did not let his former love's proximity get in the way of his birthday fun and frolics as he shared a slew of snaps of the festivities as he marked turning 46 in typically lavish style.
Taking to Instagram, A-Rod shared a legion of images showing him boarding a private jet with light up letters spelling out his age and a balloon display before his pal jumped on board with a tequila trophy to get the fun going - shortly before he shared images inside the plane and on the boat.
He penned: '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. I couldn’t ask for anything more. #ThankYouAll. Here’s to a healthy, happy and meaningful 365 days for us all! #46 #AgeIsJustANumber'.
Wow! Alex Rodriguez rang in his 46th birthday in VERY lavish style during Italian holiday as his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez gets steamy with Ben Affleck on nearby vessel
Alex intricately documented the bash on social media alongside posts from his pals, as he showed the lavish brunch the group enjoyed with their table laden with delicious food.
His pal was sure to bring the fun on board as he toted a tequila trophy which he held aloft before bringing the white and blue statuette onto the plane and also carried through the port.
During the day at sea, he was pictured getting very close to ex-fiancée Jennifer's super-yacht on Monday in Saint-Tropez, as he was seen jet-skiing around the singer's rented $130M vessel with his pals.
More images saw Alex enjoying a cigar with pals as well as posing in a number of slick ensembles for the big day while also joined by his half-sister Susy Dunand and half-brother Joseph Dunand, who were glam for the party.
The whole gang! Alex intricately documented the bash on social media alongside posts from his pals, as he showed the lavish brunch the group enjoyed with their table laden with delicious food
ARod 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.
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.
Woo! His pal was sure to bring the fun on board as he toted a tequila trophy which he held aloft before bringing the white and blue statuette onto the plane and also carried through the port
Happy days: He was also joined by his half-sister Susy Dunand, who was going glam for the bash and his half-brother Joseph Dunand
Now THIS is living! Alex was joined by his tequila toting pal and sibling Joseph in puffing cigars on deck
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.
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.
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,
