Shakira Steals the Show at World Cup Final
Gerard Piqué's ex-wife Shakira delivered a dazzling halftime performance at the World Cup final, leaving the former Manchester United defender visibly uncomfortable in the stands. Cameras captured Piqué sitting still with a glum expression while his sons Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11, danced joyfully during their mother's act alongside Burna Boy.
Piqué's Awkward Presence
Despite their contentious split in 2022 amid allegations of infidelity on Piqué's part, the retired footballer attended the match with their children. The boys let loose as Shakira performed, but Piqué appeared to wait for the show to end. The World Cup final, held in New York, saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0.
Shakira Presents Man of the Match
After the performance, the 49-year-old singer was called upon to present the Man of the Match award alongside comedian Kevin Hart. She beamed as she met Spanish hero Ferran Torres, the match-winner. Fans quickly commented on social media, with one writing, "Shakira handing him MOTM... Torres is winning on and off the pitch tonight," and another adding, "Torres won her heart."
Background of the Split
Piqué and Shakira were together for over a decade before their public breakup in June 2022. Following the split, rumors swirled online, including a claim that Shakira discovered his alleged affair after noticing a jar of jam had been eaten. Shakira later dispelled the jam rumors but released the track 'BZRP Music Session #53' with Argentine producer Bizarrap in January 2023. That same month, Piqué went Instagram official with Clara Chia Marti.
Shakira's Post-Split Life
Since the breakup, Shakira has been linked to high-profile men including Tom Cruise, NBA star Jimmy Butler, and British actor Lucien Laviscount. Speaking to The Times earlier this year, she described the breakdown of her marriage as her "darkest moment," adding, "I've been through so much pain, but it has made me perhaps in an unforeseen way a wiser person - or stronger, at least." She also praised her friends for their support, saying, "Life is a b--ch, but it's so worth living because friends are there for you."
World Cup Anthem Performance
Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage to perform the World Cup anthem 'Dai Dai'. She reflected on her connection to soccer, stating, "I have this connection with [soccer] that seems unbreakable. That's why I call my kids the Waka kids; I think they were born because of that song. 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."
