Shakira and Barcelona star Gerard Pique split after infidelity claims

Pop singer Shakira has announced her separation from footballer Gerard Pique after 11 years together.

Rumours of the pair’s split began to circulate earlier this week, with reports in Spain claiming the Barcelona man had strayed, The Sun reported. 

Shakira, 45, has now confirmed their separation in a statement via her publicist – although she made no reference to Pique’s alleged cheating.

It read: “We regret to confirm that we are parting ways.
 

“For the wellbeing of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Pique, 35, has yet to release a statement on the separation, nor has he addressed his alleged cheating.

Reports in Spain claim the former Manchester United man had been "staying alone in his own apartment for weeks” following Shakira’s discovery of his alleged infidelity.

The World Cup winner is said to have been enjoying Barcelona’s famed night-life with his pals and teammate Riqui Puig.

And according to March, his partying has been “out of control”.

Pique met Shakira when he was training in Madrid ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Pique recalled: “It all started when we were in South Africa and I wrote to her.”

They confirmed they were in a relationship a year later.

Their first child, a boy named Milan, was born in January 2013.

The former couple welcomed their second child, a boy named Sasha, in January 2015.

Before their separation, Pique was quizzed about his failure to tie the knot with the Whenever, Wherever singer.
 

During an appearance on The Overlap, the centre-back told ex-team-mate Gary Neville: “No, I’m not married. It’s her mentality.

“I like it how we are right now. We have two kids, nine and seven right now. We work good as a couple.”

The story was[published in The Sun and is reproduced with permission.