The internet is on fire—and it’s not because of a last-minute touchdown. Tom Brady, the NFL icon whose every move has been scrutinized since his retirement, is once again dominating headlines. This time, it’s not about football, business ventures, or his famously clean diet. It’s about love, glamour, and the power of one jaw-dropping photo.

On Thursday night, Brady’s new public girlfriend, Slovakian model Veronika Rajek, posted a bikini photo that has set social media ablaze. Within hours, fans, critics, and pop culture observers were locked in a heated debate: Has Tom Brady found someone who outshines his legendary ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen?

The Photo That Broke the Internet

Rajek’s image, shared to her Instagram story, instantly became the centerpiece of a media storm. Reclining poolside under the Miami sun, Rajek wore a neon bikini that accentuated her golden tan and athletic physique. Her confidence radiated, her smile was effortless, and her pose—equal parts playful and powerful—was impossible to ignore.

Within minutes, the post racked up tens of thousands of likes, then spilled over to Twitter, TikTok, and celebrity gossip forums. Fans began comparing Rajek’s allure to that of Gisele Bündchen, the Brazilian supermodel who was Brady’s partner for over a decade.

Tom Brady's admirer Veronika Rajek calls out Bucs after playoff loss

“Sorry, Gisele, but Veronika is on another level. Brady upgraded,” one Instagram user commented, echoing the sentiment of thousands. Another viral tweet read, “This is what happens when you retire from the NFL and start winning in other ways.”

Even critics, often quick to dismiss celebrity partners as “clout-chasers,” struggled to argue with the sheer magnetism of the image. The phrase “Tom Brady’s new girlfriend” shot up the trending charts, rivaling political news and Grammy Awards gossip.

Who Is Veronika Rajek?

For those unfamiliar with her rise, Veronika Rajek is no stranger to attention. The 28-year-old Slovakian model has built a massive following thanks to international modeling campaigns, runway shows across Europe, and a bold presence on Instagram. She’s a champion of body positivity, fitness, and unapologetic confidence.

Rajek first made headlines in 2022 for her public support of Tom Brady during his final NFL season. She called him her “forever crush” after a dramatic Buccaneers win, sparking rumors that were dismissed as harmless fan-girling. Now, those rumors are reality: Rajek is officially Brady’s girlfriend, and her star is rising fast.

The Gisele Comparison: Spectacle or Sideshow?

Brady’s relationship with Gisele Bündchen was one of the most high-profile celebrity marriages in recent memory. Their split in 2022 rocked the entertainment world, fueling endless speculation about what went wrong. Now, with Rajek stepping into the public eye as Brady’s first serious partner since the divorce, fans and tabloids are pitting the two women against each other.

“Gisele walked fashion’s biggest runways, but Veronika owns social media in a way Gisele never did,” said one entertainment analyst. “Tom’s moved from the catwalk queen to the Instagram age.”

Still, some voices urge caution. “Why do we always pit women against each other? Gisele is a legend. Veronika is stunning. Both can exist without comparison,” read one op-ed circulating on Twitter.

Yet, for millions of fans, the debate itself is part of the spectacle. The meme factory went into overdrive: TikTok users posted split screens of Gisele strutting in Milan and Veronika lounging in Miami, captioned “Different eras, same Brady.” Twitter polls asked, “Who wins? Supermodel Gisele or Super-influencer Veronika?” Rajek edged out Bündchen in the results.

Brady’s Strategic Silence

While the internet debates, Tom Brady himself has remained completely silent. No reposts, no cryptic emojis, no statements. His social media continues to showcase his children, his business ventures, and nostalgic football highlights.

Insiders say this silence is no accident. “Tom is careful,” said a source close to the Brady camp. “He knows when to go public and how to control the narrative. This relationship being public now—just before the Super Bowl media frenzy—is classic Brady. It steals headlines without him saying a single word.”

Another insider added, “Tom’s always played the long game, both on and off the field. Veronika going public now is a power move.”

Fans, Critics, and Celebrity Culture

As with every celebrity story in 2025, the memes and opinion pieces followed fast. Some fans celebrated Brady’s happiness, while others questioned why his romantic life should overshadow his achievements in business, philanthropy, and parenting.

Detractors accused Rajek of using Brady’s name to elevate her own modeling career. Supporters fired back, pointing to her years of success and her authentic online persona. In the world of celebrity culture, attention is currency—and by that measure, Rajek is already winning.

So beautiful' - Veronika Rajek gushes over Tom Brady as stunning model celebrates Buccaneers making playoffs | The Sun

What This Means for Brady’s Post-NFL Life

Since his official retirement in 2023, Tom Brady has been crafting a new chapter. From high-profile endorsements and sports investments to a commentator role, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. Yet, his love life was always going to be a focal point of his post-football narrative.

Would he reconcile with Gisele? Would he remain a single dad? Or would he step into a new romance that would ignite headlines as much as his 20-year NFL career? Now, with Rajek at his side, it seems Brady has chosen the latter—and fans are here for it.

A Defining Moment in Modern Fame

At its core, this story is bigger than just one bikini photo. It’s a reflection of how modern fame operates: a single image can outshine months of public appearances, and a model from Slovakia can rival the world’s most famous Brazilian supermodel.

Brady, long defined by his athletic accomplishments, is now dominating headlines because of who he’s seen with by the pool. As one fan tweeted, “Tom Brady wins even when he’s not playing.”

The New Power Couple

Whether Veronika Rajek truly “surpasses” Gisele Bündchen is a question fans and tabloids will debate endlessly. But one thing is clear: Tom Brady and Veronika Rajek have emerged as the new power couple of 2025.

The bikini photo may have been just one post, but its ripple effect has cemented Rajek not only as Brady’s girlfriend but as a headline-making force in her own right. And in today’s culture, where fame is measured by influence as much as achievement, that may be the most powerful touchdown Tom Brady has ever scored.