Picture Credit: Twitter
Colombian superstar Shakira and FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique on Saturday have announced that they are separating after a relationship of more than a decade. The 45-year-old singer is one of the biggest stars of the global music industry and has sold more than 60 million albums.
Whereas Spanish footballing legend Pique, 35 has won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship and also is a three-time Champions League winner with Barcelona. The couple also has two sons and had been living together near the outskirts of Barcelona.
The couple released a statement announcing their separation and have also requested the public for privacy for the well-being of their children. The statement said, “We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the well-being of our children, who are our upmost priority, we request respect for (our) privacy."
The news of the couple's separation comes after the former Manchester United player was allegedly caught in bed with another woman. It has been reported that the couple has been living separately for a few weeks as Pique was kicked out of their family home.
As reported by the Spanish outlet El Periodico, Pique has been staying in a bachelor pad and has been averted to a "party lifestyle" since the split. Further reports also claim that the Spaniard has been recently seen at various nightclubs with teammate Riqui Puig and his group of friends, often returning home as late as 2 or 3 in the morning.
Shakira hinted at the friction between the couple in her latest hit 'Te Felicito' with Rauw Alejandro, where the 45-year-old was quoted singing, "To complete you I broke into pieces; I was warned, but I didn't listen; I realised that yours is false; it was the drop that overflowed the glass; Don't tell me you're sorry, that sounds sincere, but I know you well and I know you're lying."
Shakira and Gerard Pique first met while shooting the music video for 'Waka Waka', the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. That year, Spain won the World Cup. The Colombian confirmed the relationship in 2012 when she posted a picture on Instagram that was captioned, “I present to you my sunshine.”