Shakira and Gerard Pique announce separation: chronology of their relationship

The couple, who have two sons, released a joint statement on June 4, 2022, confirming their separation.

Leaving their fans around the world completely confused and heartbroken, Shakira and Gerard Pique announced, somewhat affirming, that they were on different paths after weeks of speculation about their relationship.

The 45-year-old Colombian singer has met the 35-year-old Spanish footballer on the set of the music for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" in 2010. It was the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and many players, including Pique came on stage.

The couple, who have two sons - Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7 - released a joint statement on June 4, 2022, which read: "We are sorry to confirm that we are going our separate ways. We ask for privacy at now time for the sake of our children. It is our top priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect."

In a 2020 interview, Shakira said that because she is "not a football fan," she had no idea who Pique was until she saw the video and thought it was "funny." Then he introduced someone. Speaking to Spain's TV3 in 2016, Pique said: "... we were in South Africa together, and I wrote to him. He was there because he was singing at the opening ceremony and I asked him how the weather was. Of course, that's a typical stupid question... But he started telling me how the weather was every minute, and it got to the point where I told him [the Spanish team] had to reach the World Cup final until we saw him again – he sang at the end.