Hollywood hunk Matthew McConaughey insists that he and Penelope Cruz "still love each other" .

They were a couple for nearly three years after falling for each other on the set of Sahara.

"We still care about each other, we still love each other," McConaughey was quoted by The Sun, as saying.

“Break ups suck, but it was true and honest and we both still respect each other and we’re still good friends,” he added.

The stars fell for each other while they were shooting action adventure Sahara in 2003, but the romance didn't last--and they split earlier this year.