BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and
music superstar Shakira announced Saturday the end of their 11-year
relationship.
The former couple, who met in 2010 and
began dating a year later, have two children together, sons Milan and
Sasha.
“We regret to confirm that we are
parting ways,” they said in a joint statement to E! News. “For
the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask
that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”
They met when Pique appeared in a music video for
Shakira’s track “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which
was used as the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South
Africa.
The superstar center back, who played a key role
in the Spain national team’s golden era, helped La Roja
capture the 2010 World Cup title.
Also Saturday, Shakira addressed
rumors about her health after she was recently seen in an
ambulance, saying she was accompanying her father after he’d suffered injuries in a fall:
Pique, a Barcelona native, emerged as a
promising prospect at Barca’s famed La Masia youth academy before
starting his professional career at Manchester United in 2004.
He returned to the Blaugrana in 2008
and has spent the past 14 years at the Camp Nou while establishing himself as
one of the best defenders of the generation.
Now 35, he faced speculation about
retirement early in the 2021-22 season but told Barca TV+ in
March (via Abdi Rashid of the Daily Mail) he plans to continue
playing.
“For me, it has been a dream this
journey, and I hope to keep it going as long as I can—keep playing
and keep helping the club,” Pique said. “I hope this journey does
not end yet; I want it to go on a bit more. I am very proud.”
Pique retired from international football
in 2018, but there have been rumors he could return to the Spain squad
ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off in November.
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