Shakira and Gerard Piqué were said to be in an open relationship before accusations of infidelity led to a bitter separation and subsequent custody agreement over their two children.

The former couple confirmed the end of their 11-year relationship last June, shortly after former FC Barcelona and Spain footballer Pique, 36, was accused of cheating on the 46-year old singer.

Pique, who has since embarked on a new relationship with model Clara Chia Marti, later refuted claims of an affair, insisting there was ‘no infidelity on his part’.

Spanish broadcaster José Antonio Avilés has since insisted the former couple had been in mutually acceptable open relationship for three years before their separation.

‘There is an agreement where “you do what you want and I do what I want”, but in the face of the media we are still a couple,’ Avilés said of their alleged agreement, according to El Nacional de Catalunya.

Claims: Shakira and Gerard Piqué were said to be in an open relationship before accusations of infidelity led to a bitter separation and subsequent custody agreement over their two children

It’s over! Taking to Instagram in June, the Colombian singer confirmed that she was no longer with former FC Barcelona and Spain international Gerard (pictured with their children Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven)

Claims of an open relationship are believed to have come from Piqué’s close circle of friends and family, with many said to be stunned by his former partner’s references to infidelity.

‘The footballer’s entourage was surprised by Shakira’s statement,’ Avilés added. ‘He has been annoyed to find out from the press.’

Elsewhere fellow journalist Pilar Vidal added: ‘Piqué does not want speculation that the reason for the breakup was infidelity.

‘He was surprised by the statement, because the one who takes the initiative is her.’

Shakira has since moved to Miami after being awarded full custody of their two children, Milan and Sasha, and has since been romantically linked to Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton.

Taking to Instagram last June, the Colombian singer confirmed that she was no longer with Piqué, but for some the statement was not entirely unexpected.

Spanish tabloids had already claimed couple were on the verge of breaking up, with sources claiming Piqué had cheated on the star.

Her brief statement read: ‘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.’

Spanish outlet El Periodico reported that the couple had been living separately for weeks after he was kicked out of the family home by the pop star.

Moving on:  Pique, who has since embarked on a new relationship with model Clara Chia Marti, has refuted claims of an affair, insisting there was ‘no infidelity on his part’

Progress: In November the former couple released a statement following a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers, confirming they had reached a custody agreement over their two children

Neither party addressed cheating claims but journalist Emilio Pérez reported: ‘(Shakira) has made the decision to separate. That is so. It has happened.

‘That is why there is distance. Perhaps there is nothing left, but that (infidelity) has passed.’

Shakira later revealed how difficult life had been as her relationship with the footballer collapsed during an interview conducted for ELLE magazine’s October issue.

She said: ‘Oh, this is really hard to talk about personally, especially as this is the first time I’ve ever addressed this situation in an interview.

‘I’ve remained quiet and just tried to process it all. Um, and yeah, it’s hard to talk about it, especially because I’m still going through it, and because I’m in the public eye and because our separation is not like a regular separation.

‘And so it’s been tough not only for me, but also for my kids. Incredibly difficult.’

Old times: The former couple with their children at a Spanish sporting event in 2021

Moving on: Shakira has since moved to Miami with her children following their separation

She added: ‘So it’s hard. And I’ve tried 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?’

Last November the former couple released a statement following a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers, confirming they had reached a custody agreement over their two children.

Piqué was said to have given his blessing to his former partner’s move to Miami with their two sons to avoid a lengthy legal battle.

Shakira’s wish to move to the city where she used to live and part of her family are still based was understood to have been the principal sticking point in the couple’s previous failure to strike an out-of-court settlement.

They said in a joint statement: ‘We wish to communicate that we have signed an agreement that guarantees the welfare of our children and that will be ratified in court as part of a mere formal procedure.

‘Our sole objective is to provide them with the upmost security and protection, and we trust that their privacy will be respected

‘We appreciate the interest shown and hope that the children can continue with their lives with the necessary privacy in a safe and calm environment.’

It was signed: ‘Shakira and Gerard.’

Shakira and Piqué decided to part ways in June 2022. The news of the couple’s separation came as a shock to fans. However, in 2019, Shakira opened up about the rough phase through which her relationship with the footballer was going. Take a look at the timeline of Gerard Piqué and Shakira’s relationship here

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Famous singers Shakira and Gerard Piqué have parted ways for over a year now. The news, which surfaced on the internet in June last year, broke the hearts of millions of fans. Back in June, the couple released a joint statement, stating that they regret informing their fans, but they have decided to separate.

Both the singer and footballer in the statement also requested privacy for the well-being of their children, who are their “maximum priority.” Take a look at the timeline of Shakira and Gerard Piqué’s relationship here:

When did Shakira and Gerard Piqué first meet?

Shakira and Gerard Piqué first met in 2010 on the set of the iconic music video ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).’ The track served as the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and the music video featured several footballers, including Piqué, a defender for FC Barcelona who captured Shakira’s attention.During a conversation with 60 Minutes, the ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer said that she did not have much idea about football, hence she did not know who Gerard Piqué was. The singer further added that when she saw the music video of Waka Waka, she found Piqué cute, and later, some mutuals of both the singer and the footballer introduced them to one another.

When did Shakira and Gerard Piqué publicly announce their relationship?

Back on March 29, 2011, Shakira and Piqué took to their social media accounts to put a full stop to all the rumors by confirming their relationship. Taking to Twitter and Facebook, the Barcelona defender dropped a picture where he was seen hugging Shakira from behind. Sharing the picture, Piqué wrote, “Les presento a mi sol” (I present to you my sun).

In January 2012, the couple made their first red carpet appearance. While Shakira stunned in a red gown, Piqué donned a black tuxedo, making heads turn.

In September 2012, Shakira revealed that she and Gerard Piqué were expecting their first child. Taking to Instagram, the singer dropped a post where she was seen lying next to Piqué as she flaunted her baby bump.

Sharing the post, the singer wrote, “As some of you may be aware, Gerard Piqué, my boyfriend, and I are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our first child, and we couldn’t be happier!”

Further, in January 2013, the couple welcomed their first child who was a baby boy. The couple named their son Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn), which means dear, loving, and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification.

Later on August 28, 2014, the singer once again brought joy to her fans as she revealed that she and Piqué were expecting their second child.

On January 29, 2015, she became a mother for the second time when she and Piqué welcomed their second child who was a girl. The couple named their baby girl Sasha Piqué Mebarak.

However, things started to go rough in November 2019 when the singer made a shocking revelation about her relationship. In 2017, Shakira suffered a right vocal cord hemorrhage, and she went through a bout of depression.

The singer revealed that during this phase, it became extremely tough for her to communicate with her family and allowed Piqué to see her at her most vulnerable.

Further, while appearing for the Planet Weirdo with Holly H podcast, Shakira acknowledged that there is one area in which she and her Spanish football player boyfriend disagree, which is punctuality.

Due to the ongoing conflict, Shakira and Piqué decided to part ways and informed their fans through a joint statement.