Shakira stole the spotlight at the World Cup opening ceremony on Thursday evening, captivating the audience with a daring outfit at the Estadio Azteca. The Colombian singer-songwriter headlined the event, performing her hit song 'Dai Dai' alongside Burna Boy. She impressed fans with a vibrant yellow mesh top and matching shorts, accompanied by her dancers.
Shakira's Connection to Football
Shakira has a long-standing relationship with football, having met her ex-husband Gerard Pique while recording the official song for the 2010 World Cup. She remarked, 'I have this connection with football that seems unbreakable. That's why I call my kids the Waka kids.' She added, '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.'
The Meaning of 'Dai Dai'
The tournament anthem 'Dai Dai,' an Italian slang phrase meaning 'come on, come on,' is an emotional track that deeply resonates with Shakira. Lyrics like 'What broke you once made you strong' particularly struck a chord with her. 'I always thought that I was more fragile or weaker than what life proved me to be,' Shakira shared.
Other Performers and Surprises
Shakira was not the only star at the ceremony. Before her performance, the crowd enjoyed sets by Fher Olvera and J Balvin, a Latin American superstar. However, it was the appearance of two giant Labubus that set social media ablaze. One user posted, 'Labubus at the opening gala of the World Cup, hating the 21st century with all their might...' Another wrote, 'Out of nowhere some LABUBUS appeared at the world cup opening ceremony.' A third added, 'Football is dead...'
Thursday's opening ceremony is the first of three, with similar performances scheduled before the first games in the USA and Canada.
