Catharsis and Football: Shakira Reflects on Gerard Pique Divorce Ahead of New World Cup Anthem

As she prepares to take center stage for the 2026 World Cup, global superstar Shakira has candidly opened up about her highly publicized 2022 split from former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, describing music as her ultimate emotional rescue. The couple ended their eleven-year relationship amid intense speculation of infidelity, leaving the Colombian singer to navigate the heartbreak while co-parenting their two sons, Milan and Sasha.

Reflecting on the turbulent aftermath of the separation, Shakira revealed that channeling her pain into her art was a necessity. Her explosive 2023 collaboration with Bizarrap, which fans widely recognized as a scathing response to the breakup, served as a crucial outlet. She described the songwriting process as pure, uncensored catharsis, admitting she desperately needed to document her exact experiences to heal.

The pop icon also took the opportunity to firmly dispel a bizarre but viral internet rumor. For years, fans speculated that she discovered Pique’s alleged affair after noticing a jar of strawberry jam in their fridge had been eaten—a treat she knew her ex-partner despised. While the theory grew legs through references in her older music videos, Shakira dismissed the story entirely, calling it completely untrue. Instead, she credited her close friends with keeping her grounded, noting that while life can be incredibly difficult, the loyalty of her support system made the resilience worth it.

The reflections come at a milestone moment for the singer, whose new 2026 tournament anthem, Dai Dai—a collaboration with Afrobeat star Burna Boy—just crossed 100 million streams ahead of the opening match. For Shakira, football and family remain deeply intertwined. She famously met Pique during the 2010 World Cup while promoting her iconic track Waka Waka, and she fondly refers to her children as her Waka kids. She explained that the tournament has always held an unbreakable connection to her destiny, proving to her that she was far more resilient than she ever believed.