Shakira and Gerard Piqué relationship timeline after singer's World Cup gig

Demetria Osei-Tutu & Eleanor TolbertSat, July 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC

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Shakira and Piqué announced they were separating in June 2022 -Credit:Europa Press via Getty Images

Shakira has become synonymous with the World Cup and maintains deep ties to soccer.

The 49-year-old Colombian superstar has teamed up with Burna Boy to record Dai Dai, the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She's also set to co-headline the inaugural final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, performing alongside Madonna and BTS.

Having first graced the World Cup stage two decades ago, this latest official track represents her third contribution to the tournament. In a June 3 interview with PEOPLE, Shakira described her bond with soccer and the World Cup as "unbreakable."

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She also reflected on how the global soccer tournament transformed her life through motherhood. The Hips Don't Lie artist is mother to two sons with ex-partner Gerard Piqué, a former Spanish soccer star: Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11, reports the Express US.

Shakira has deep ties with the World Cup -Credit:Getty Images

Their romance began when Piqué, 39, appeared in her music video for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," which served as the official anthem for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"That's why I call my kids the 'Waka' kids; I think they were born because of that song," Shakira told the outlet. "That song took me to the World Cup, the World Cup had an important impact in my life, and they were born - the best thing that has happened to me."

The Mirror US examines Shakira's past romance with Piqué:

How did Shakira and Gerard Piqué meet?

Shakira and Piqué's relationship began in 2010 after he appeared briefly in her music video for Waka Waka. The Grammy-winning singer recalled their initial encounter during a 60 Minutes interview in 2020.

"I wasn't a soccer fan, so I didn't know who he was," she said. "When I saw the video, I was like, 'Hmm, that one's kind of cute'. And then someone decided to introduce us."

Piqué similarly revealed he was captivated by Shakira and keen to meet her again. He discussed the beginning of their romance on Spain's TV3 in 2016.

The couple first met in 2010, when Shakira filmed the Waka Waka music video -Credit:FIFA via Getty Images

"It all started when we were together in South Africa, and I wrote to her," he said. "She was already there because she sang in the opening ceremony, and I asked her what the weather was like. She started telling me what the weather was, like, every minute, and it got to the point where I told her we [the Spanish team] would have to get to the World Cup final to see her again - she was singing at the final."

The couple went social media official in March 2011 with a photograph of them together. The former Barcelona defender embraced Shakira from behind as they both smiled at the camera.

She captioned the image, "Les presento a mi sol" (I present to you my sun).

At the Barcelona leg of Shakira's The Sun Comes Out World Tour, they locked lips on stage when he and his Barcelona colleagues joined her. Their first official red carpet appearance together was at the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or Awards gala in Switzerland in January 2012.

Shakira penned a song titled Me Enamoré that chronicles how she and Piqué first encountered each other and developed their romance. The number became a popular single from her 2017 record El Dorado, which secured the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.

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Shakira discussed the subject of wedding Piqué during her 2020 60 Minutes interview and explained how marriage "scares the s--t out of me.

"I don't want him to see me as the wife. I'd rather him see me as his girlfriend," she elaborated. "His lover, his girlfriend. It's like a little forbidden fruit, you know? I wanna keep him on his toes. I want him to think that anything's possible depending on behavior."

Shakira & Piqué with their 2 kids Milan and Sasha -Credit:Getty ImagesHow many children do Shakira and Piqué share?

Shakira and Piqué are parents to two sons: Milan and Sasha. Shakira announced she was expecting her first son in September 2012, through a statement on her website detailing her choice to pull out of the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival.

Shakira gave birth to Milan Piqué Mebarak on January 22, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.

"The name Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn) means dear, loving, and gracious in Slavic; eager and laborious in Ancient Roman; and unification in Sanskrit. Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth," Shakira wrote on her website, per PEOPLE.

In August 2024, Shakira announced on Facebook that she and Piqué were expecting their second child. Sasha Piqué Mebarak arrived on January 29, 2015, in Barcelona.

"The name Sasha is of Greek and Russian descent and means' defender of mankind' and 'warrior,' " the birth announcement read on her website.

Shakira has not publicly confirmed a relationship since her separation from Piqué -Credit:Getty Images for Disney

Shakira recently opened up to PEOPLE about her sons, revealing details about their interests and artistic talents. The boys appeared on her latest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, particularly on the track Acróstico, where they provided vocals and piano accompaniment.

"They both enjoy sports and music," she said. "They both play instruments and sing, and the oldest one plays the drums, guitar, the bass, and piano. But he's crazy about [soccer]. I'm crazy about sports, and he's a real soccer expert. He knows every statistic, every result of every game, the history of every player. It's absolutely impressive. And then the little one is very, very creative, and he's like a visual artist, a graphic artist and also musical, very, very artistic."

When did Shakira and Piqué split?

Shakira and Piqué confirmed their separation through a joint statement in June 2022. They said, "We regret to confirm that we are separating. We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect."

During that period, widespread speculation circulated that Piqué had been unfaithful. Shakira addressed those cheating allegations in a conversation with PEOPLE en Español while discussing her father's serious health emergency during her separation.

"Everything came crashing down on me, my home was falling apart," she told the outlet. "I found out through the press that I had been betrayed while my dad was in the ICU."

Shakira referenced her breakup with Piqué in a 2023 collaboration with Bizarrap called BZRP Music Session #53, taking particular aim at his relationship with Clara Chia Marti, who was 23 at the time. Piqué had reportedly been unfaithful to Shakira with Clara.

Piqué is still dating Clara Chia Marti who he was rumored to be cheated on Shakira with -Credit:Gerard Piqué Instagram

"I wish you luck with my supposed replacement / I don't even know what happened to you," she sings. "I'm worth two of 22 [year old] / You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo / You traded a Rolex for a Casio / You're going fast, slow down / Lots of time at the gym, but your brain needs a little work too."

Piqué made his relationship with Clara Chia Marti Instagram official in January 2023. He shared a photo of them without any caption.

The retired footballer is currently still involved with the 27 year old publicist.

Shakira hasn't publicly acknowledged any relationships since Piqué, though she's been romantically connected with several prominent figures since then, including F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, actor Lucian Laviscount, actor Tom Cruise, and songwriter and producer Fagael Arcaute.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”