Shakira Announces Split From Barcelona Star Piqué After 11 Years Together

Columbian music star Shakira has confirmed her split with her footballer partner Gerard Piqué after more than a decade together, the Metro reports.

Shakira, 45, has two children with Piqué, 35, who has played for FC Barcelona since 2008 and made over 600 appearances for the club.

The reason for their split may not be unconnected to allegation of cheating leveled against Pique.

In a joint statement released via her publicist, the pair said: “We regret to confirm that we are parting ways.

“For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”

The pair met back in 2010 while she filmed the video for her World Cup song Waka Waka for the competition in South Africa.

While they never married, they were together for 11 years and share children Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven.

Talking about how their relationship began, Piqué said at the time: “It all started when we were in South Africa and I wrote to her.”

He was recently quizzed by Gary Neville on why he’d never tied the knot with the Hips Don’t Lie singer.

During an appearance on The Overlap podcast, he said: “No, I’m not married. It’s her mentality.

“I like it how we are right now. We have two kids, nine and seven right now. We work good as a couple.”