Why Did Shakira and Gerard Piqué Split? Inside Their Long-Term Relationship and Breakup

The world watched in disbelief when Colombian superstar Shakira and Spanish football legend Gerard Piqué announced their separation in June 2022, ending an 11-year relationship that had fans globally. What began as a fairy-tale romance on the set of the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem “Waka Waka” transformed into one of the most publicized celebrity breakups in recent memory, complete with viral diss tracks, custody battles, and explosive revelations.

Their relationship had always seemed unshakeable—two global icons who had built a life together in Barcelona, raising two sons while balancing demanding careers in entertainment and professional sports. Shakira had famously relocated from her native Colombia to Spain, putting her career “in second gear” to support Piqué’s football ambitions at FC Barcelona. The couple never married, with Shakira once admitting that “marriage scares the hell out of me,” preferring the unpredictability of being seen as a girlfriend rather than a wife.

However, beneath the glamorous exterior, cracks had been forming for years. The separation wasn’t just a private matter—it became a public spectacle involving allegations of infidelity, financial disputes, and emotional betrayal that played out across social media, music releases, and international headlines. As Shakira herself revealed, she learned of Piqué’s alleged betrayal “through the press” while her father was fighting for his life in the ICU, making an already devastating situation even more traumatic.

The Beginning: A World Cup Love Story

Meeting on the Global Stage

Shakira and Gerard Piqué’s love story began in 2010 during the filming of “Waka Waka,” the official FIFA World Cup anthem. The Colombian pop sensation was at the height of her career, while Piqué was establishing himself as one of the world’s premier defenders for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Their chemistry was undeniable, and by 2011, they had gone public with their relationship.

Building a Family

The couple welcomed their first son, Milan, in January 2013, followed by their second son, Sasha, in 2014. For over a decade, they appeared to be the perfect power couple—Shakira supporting Piqué from the stands during crucial matches while he celebrated her musical achievements. Their Barcelona home became a sanctuary where they raised their children away from the public eye.

Career Sacrifices and Compromises

One of the most significant aspects of their relationship was Shakira’s career sacrifice. The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer revealed that she had put her career “in second gear” to support Piqué’s football ambitions. “One of the two had to make that effort and that sacrifice. And I did it. I put my career in second gear and I came to Spain, to support him so he could play football and win titles,” she explained in her emotional interview with Elle magazine.

The Cracks Begin to Show

Financial Disputes and Investment Disagreements

According to Roberto Garcia, Shakira’s former brother-in-law, the problems between the couple began with financial disagreements. Garcia revealed that Piqué had allegedly asked Shakira for money for investment purposes, but her family advised against it. “According to what a person very close to them has told me, there has been an economic problem between the two. Supposedly, Piqué would have asked Shakira for money for an investment issue, and the singer’s family has refused to give it to him,” Garcia disclosed.

Early Warning Signs in Music

Before their official separation, Shakira had already begun expressing her relationship struggles through her music. In May 2022, she released “Te Felicito,” which fans speculated was about Piqué due to lyrics about a “double-faced man” and various clues in the music video.

The Betrayal: How Everything Fell Apart

The Devastating Discovery

The most heartbreaking aspect of their breakup was how Shakira discovered the alleged infidelity. In June 2023, she revealed to People en Español that she learned of Piqué’s betrayal while dealing with her father’s critical condition in the hospital. “Everything happened at once. My home was falling apart. I was finding out through the press that I had been betrayed while my dad was in the ICU,” she shared.

The Clara Chia Marti Connection

Spanish media outlets reported that Piqué had been having an affair with Clara Chia Marti, a 23-year-old who had worked as a waitress at a Barcelona bar before Piqué hired her at his company. The relationship became public in January 2023, with photos of the couple kissing at the Summerfest Cerdanya festival in Catalonia. The 12-year age gap between Piqué and Marti became a focal point of public discussion and later inspired some of Shakira’s most pointed lyrics.

Living Separately

By mid-2022, Spanish newspaper El Periodico reported that Piqué was no longer living with Shakira and their children. The couple maintained a facade of normalcy for several weeks before finally announcing their separation through a joint statement requesting privacy for their children’s well-being.

The Musical Response: Shakira’s Artistic Revenge

“Monotonía” – The First Musical Statement

In October 2022, Shakira released “Monotonía,” her first song widely interpreted as addressing the relationship’s end. The Spanish lyrics translated to: “It wasn’t your fault, it wasn’t my fault / It was monotony’s fault / I never said anything but it hurt / I knew this would happen.” The accompanying music video showed Shakira with a literal hole in her chest, symbolizing her heartbreak.

“BZRP Music Session #53” – The Viral Diss Track

Shakira’s collaboration with Argentine producer Bizarrap in January 2023 became a global phenomenon. The song contained multiple references to Piqué and Clara Chia Marti, including wordplay with their names and pointed comparisons. “I’m worth two 22-year-olds / You traded in a Ferrari for a Twingo / You traded in a Rolex for a Casio,” she sang, referencing the age difference and perceived downgrade.

The Aftermath: Custody, Healing, and New Beginnings

Custody Agreement and Relocation

In November 2022, Shakira and Piqué reached a custody agreement for Milan and Sasha. The arrangement allowed Shakira to relocate to Miami with the children, closer to her family support system, while ensuring Piqué maintained access to his sons.

Piqué’s Response and New Relationship

Gerard Piqué has largely remained silent about the specifics of their breakup, though he hinted in a 2024 CNN interview that “the truth or what happens or occurs is not told in the way it was.” He confirmed his relationship with Clara Chia Marti and expressed that he feels “very happy” in his current situation.

Shakira’s Journey of Self-Discovery

Despite the pain, Shakira has emerged stronger from the experience. At the 2025 Grammy Awards, she acknowledged that “life hasn’t always been kind” but emphasized her resilience. She’s spoken about feeling “complete” and more self-reliant than ever, channeling her experiences into her music and personal growth.

The Legacy of Their Split

The Shakira-Piqué breakup represents more than just another celebrity separation—it highlights the complexities of high-profile relationships, the sacrifices made for love, and the public nature of modern heartbreak. Their story serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly perfect relationships can harbor deep-seated issues, and that healing often requires both time and the courage to rebuild one’s life from the ground up.

As Shakira continues to focus on her music career and raising her sons in Miami, while Piqué builds his new life with Clara Chia Marti, their 11-year relationship remains a cautionary tale about love, betrayal, and the price of fame in the digital age.

Trending Products

.