Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique and his Colombian superstar-partner Shakira have jointly confirmed that they were calling time on their relationship of 11 years after the former was allegedly caught cheating on the singer.
The couple announced the development in a statement via their PR agency on June 5.”
We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the wellbeing of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy,”
it read.
It was reported last week that the couple were reportedly living separately for a few weeks after the Spain international was caught cheating on the pop star.
On June, El Periodico journalist Emilio Perez broke the news during the live stream podcast of Mamarazzis and further stated that Pique had moved out of the place he used to live with the Colombian star and started to live alone at a different place. The player was also reported to have been seen visiting nightclubs and parties frequently alongside his teammate Riqui Puig.
The report of the couple’s separation further fuelled after Shakira’s latest hit Te Felicito hints at the duo’s split. The lyrics of the song read:
“My eyes are red from crying so much for you; and now, it turns out that you are sorry; it sounds sincere, but I know you well and I know that you lie; I congratulate you, how well you act.”
The 45-year-old singer is one of the biggest names in the global music industry, having sold more than 60 million albums. Meanwhile, Pique has won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 European Championship while also being a three-time Champions League winner with the Blaugrana.
The couple started dating during the shoot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup promotion song ‘Waka Waka’. The pop star and the former Spanish international have dated each other for 12-years and have two children together – Milan and Sasha; however, they have remained unmarried.
Pique still has two years remaining on his Barca contract that is set to expire in June 2024, following which he could retire.