Call it a fling or something a little deeper — whatever it was, there was a moment back in 2008 between Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez and global pop icon Madonna. If you remember, the situation stirred up plenty of drama and even played a role in A-Rod’s divorce from Cynthia Scurtis. But like most celebrity gossip, the buzz eventually faded, and the whole thing slipped under the rug. Fast-forward to now, and the topic has resurfaced thanks to Rodriguez himself.

In episode two of the HBO docuseries Alex vs A-Rod, he opens up about his past, saying, “I could have been more loyal. I could have been more present. I could have been more sympathetic, empathetic — all of it.” It’s a rare bit of reflection, with him basically admitting he fell short when it came to saving his marriage.

But interestingly, it’s not so much A-Rod revisiting old wounds that’s grabbing attention. It’s Madonna’s reaction to this blast from the past!!! “She doesn’t remember dating him. Not because it’s painful — because it was forgettable. In bed and out. He just wasn’t a headline in her real life. To her, it wasn’t a relationship. It was a Tuesday. She’s Madonna. She’s lived ten lifetimes since A-Rod. He’s not even in her top 50,” sheknows.com quoted an insider.

Too ice-cold a reaction to just avoid the entire scene? Well, anything it may be, but Madonna showed what that 2008 fling (or relationship) means to her! Madonna proved that while Rodriguez is talking about their past, she is the least interested.

For the unversed, Alex Rodriguez and Madonna were linked publicly in 2007 and 2008, during a period when both were experiencing turmoil in their personal lives.

Reportedly, by mid-2008, their linkup rumors had become a full media storm. Scurtis filed for divorce and referenced his emotional distance. On the other hand, Madonna simultaneously denied that she had any romantic relationship with him or involvement in his marital issues. In October 2008, Madonna announced her divorce from director Guy Ritchie. Thus, further intensifying public scrutiny as both celebrities were suddenly single at the same time.

While the entire episode faded away with time, their connection is remembered as a brief, high-profile moment at the crossroads of sports and pop culture.

Alex Rodriguez revealed a few more things than his flings

In the docuseries, Rodriguez reportedly opened up about the difficult parts of his childhood. Now 50, he revealed the deep pain he experienced at age 10 when his father, Victor, walked out on the family. “I’ve never really talked much about my father,” he told People.

According to Rodriguez, his love for baseball actually came from Victor, who watched games with him from the time he was a baby. But when his father left, that connection shattered, leaving a wound that has stayed with him despite years of therapy.

As a parent, though, Rodriguez says he’s determined to be nothing like the father he grew up with.

Notably, he describes himself as fully committed to his daughters. And he notably takes that role more seriously than anything else in his life. From the moment his first daughter was born, he promised he would break the cycle that hurt him so much as a kid. Now a father of two, Rodriguez says his proudest accomplishment isn’t anything he did on the baseball field, but the father he’s tried to be to them.