"We're friends," 33-year-old Rodriguez told 'People' magazine in an interview.

When asked whether there was any romance between them at all, the star, popularly known as A-Rod, reiterated, "We're friends that's it."

Newspapers and tabloids are full with reports saying the 50-year-old Madonna and the sportsman have been carrying on a romantic relationship for a long time. The reports said the baseball player was flying around with Madonna for her ongoing 'Sweet & Sticky' tour.

"I can tell you this. I have never been on a plane with her," claimed Rodriguez.

Madonna recently divorced her British director husband Guy Ritchi after a seven-year-old marriage. Madonna's increasing friendship with Rodriguez was considered one of the reasons behind the divorce.

But the sportsman said much of what has been written about them was laughable.

"I've been to two (of her) concerts, yet I've read that I went to 20. I've also read that we were buying an apartment together. That is absolutely ridiculous and not true."

"You have to have a sense of humor when it comes to this stuff," Rodriguez added. When pressed on whether he had ever stayed the night at Madonna's home, Rodriguez laughed, "If I answered every rumor we'd be here for three weeks."

However, a source close to the baseball star denied such claims by saying, they were "completely, unequivocably false."

The baseball star, who was with Madonna in Mexico City, said he was there to spend time on running a baseball clinic for kids.

"When you're among 200 kids and teaching the game of baseball it gives you an amazing feeling," he says, "just that you may inspire kids to reach their goals, whether it's baseball or whatever their goals might be."

The sportsman said they shared a common desire to help children and this is why he became a supporter of Madonna's Raising Malawi charity.

"I initially knew nothing about her charity," Rodriguez says. But after being invited to one of her fundraisers, he found that "we shared a lot of the same commitments toward helping children. I was very moved by the whole thing. I saw the documentary and it was very inspiring and informative. I saw an opportunity to help and I jumped at that."

The star said he respected Madonna. "I have a lot of respect for her. She's very committed to making the world a better place. She's had an amazing career," he said.

Rodriguez claimed he amicably settled his divorce with wife Cynthia, in September. The star denied reports that he and Cynthia had been arguing.

"I have a wonderful relationship with Cynthia," he said, adding, "We try to be the best parents we can. We both have a lot of respect for each other and she's a great lady."