Alex Rodriguez gushes about ex Cameron Diaz

Alex Rodriguez has heaped praise on his ex-girlfriend Cameron Diaz, branding the beauty "one of the greatest human beings" he's ever met.

The pair hooked up in 2010 and enjoyed a globe-trotting romance, travelling the world together until their split in September last year (11).

And despite baseball star Rodriguez dating a series of high-profile blondes, including Madonna and Kate Hudson, he insists Diaz is still his favourite.

He tells The Insider, "I don't like talking about my relationships, but I will tell you about CD (Cameron Diaz): She's probably one of the greatest human beings I've ever met, and just an amazing light."

The sports star also reveals he has a new idol in the dating stakes - eternal bachelor George Clooney.

He adds, "I think my new hero is George Clooney. He's my new role model. I think he's done it right."