Photo: Christian Bertrand/Frederic Legrand - COMEO/Shutterstock
The big breakup may have a twist.
By Jonathan Alfano — Written on Jun 06, 2022
Spanish footballer Gerard Pique and Shakira announced on Saturday that they are breaking up after 12 years together.
Shakira, 45 and Pique, 35, released a joint statement over the weekend that confirmed their split. They also asked for privacy during this time.
"We regret to confirm that we are separating," they said in their statement. "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 couple first met in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup, in which Pique helped lead Spain to its first-ever world championship. Shakira then moved to Spain to start a family with him while he continued playing in La Liga. Though they never married, they have two children together, a 10-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter.
However, since the announcement, the couple have been at the center of rumors about what led to their split, including cheating allegations involving the mother of one of Pique's Barcelona teammates, Pablo Martín Páez Gavira.
Did Pique cheat on Shakira with Gavi's mother?
Turkish journalist Melih Esat reported that Pique had an affair with the mother of Barcelona star Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, better known as Gavi. The 17-year-old has not addressed the allegations.
Esat broke the alleged cheating on his Twitter account. He did not substantiate the claim.
"Shakira caught Gerard Pique having an affair with another woman,” Esat said. "That woman turned out to be the mother of young Barcelona star, Pablo Gavi. Gavi isn't aware of the incident. Anything can happen to you or me in a world where Shakira gets cheated on!"
Esat shared a picture of a woman he claimed to be Gavi’s mother but was actually his sister.
Other sources also claimed Pique cheated on Shakira with a mystery woman.
A Spanish publication first reported that Shakira and Pique were experiencing relationship troubles on Tuesday, before their breakup announcement.
The next day, Laura Fa and Lorena Vasquez, hosts of the Mammarazzis podcast, claimed that Shakira caught the soccer star cheating on her with a blonde woman in her 20s.
Those close to Pique have vehemently denied the allegations.
Sources stated that Pique never cheated on Shakira and that they were in an open relationship.
"Someone very, very close to Pique has assured me that there was no infidelity on his part," a journalist said on a Spanish talkshow. "Their agreement was 'you do what you want and I'll do what I want', but to present themselves as a couple to the public."
The source added that the decision to end the relationship was made by Shakira alone, and Pique did not expect it.
"There is great surprise at the breakup and the statement that Shakira has sent."
Spanish media outlets reported that Pique had been living separately from Shakira for weeks after she allegedly kicked him out of the house.
Jonathan Alfano is a writer who focuses on news and entertainment topics. Follow him on Twitter to keep up with his content.