Barcelona icon Gerard Pique recently stated that his former partner Shakira lied about their breakup in his recent statements. The couple were together for 11 years from 2011 to 2022 and have two sons, Milan and Sasha.
As per PEOPLE, Gerard Pique and Shakira first met on the set of the Waka Waka music video shoot in 2010. A year later, the couple confirmed their relationship. The two have made multiple public appearances together and welcomed their two sons in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
In June 2022, Shakira and Pique announced their separation on social media after months of speculation. Rumors about the Spanish defender allegedly cheating on the Columbian pop star have been rife, although neither confirmed the same. However, Shakira allegedly took multiple digs at the Spaniard in some of her songs since the separation.
In an interview with CNN, former footballer Gerard Pique was asked about his break-up with Shakira. He said (via GOAL):
“In the end, the truth or what happens or occurs is not told in the way it was. I cannot control this. The best thing is that in the end I am surrounded by my loved ones, my family, my friends, the people who really know you. They know what you are like and what you do, and that gives me a lot of peace of mind."
The former Barcelona star added:
“I am very happy, I have a great time and I feel privileged. The life I have had, being able to play for the club of my life for more than 20 years, wonderful children, an incredible family, lifelong friends, those from school that I still have.”
Gerard Pique announced his retirement from professional football in November 2022 after spending 14 years at Barcelona from 2008 to 2022. In 616 appearances for the LaLiga outfit, the center-back recorded 53 goals and 13 assists across competitions. He won 30 titles with the club, including three UEFA Champions League titles, nine LaLiga, and seven Copa del Reys.
The former Barcelona star also won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euros with Spain, recording five goals in 102 appearances for La Roja.
"It's hard to talk about it" - When Shakira opened up about her split with Barcelona legend Gerard Pique
In a September 2022 interview with Elle, popstar Shakira opened up about her split with Gerard Pique. The singer described the time as the darkest hours of her life and said (via PEOPLE):
"I've remained quiet and just tried to process it all. It's hard to talk about it, especially because I'm still going through it and because I'm in the public eye."
Shakira further explained the situation with her two children, Milan and Sasha, and added:
"I've tried to conceal the situation in front of my kids. I try to do it and to protect them because that's my number one mission in life. But then they hear things in school from their friends or they come across some disagreeable, unpleasant news online, and it just affects them, you know?"
Since his breakup with Shakira, Gerard Pique has reportedly been dating Clara Chia Marti. The defender shared a selfie with Marti on Instagram in January 2023, seven months after announcing his separation from Shakira.