There were speculations in Spanish media over a probable split between Colombian singer Shakira and Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique. The star couple, who never publicly acknowledged any intention of marrying, finally announced their separation on June 4.

According to Reuters, Shakira and Pique released a statement through their public relations agency that said, “We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the wellbeing of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy.”

The singer met the Spanish national team defender during the shoot of the music video for Waka Waka. Shakira’s Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) had kicked off the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was also the World Cup official song. While there was a buzz that the couple started dating in Africa during the World Cup, Shakira confirmed the relationship in 2011.

Over the past 11 years, the couple have had two sons – seven-year-old Sasha Pique Mebarak and nine-year-old Milan Pique Mebarak.

Both Shakira and Pique were open about their relationship on social media. They frequently shared selfies together along with appreciative posts of each other’s successes.

Embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbD1mOWuNWu/

In recent weeks however, even though the couple shared pictures with their sons, they seemed to avoid posting about each other. Spanish media speculated that the couple were headed for a split. The Spanish news outlet, El Periodico, claimed that Shakira had found out that Pique had been unfaithful in the relationship.

Despite their split, the couple were seen attending their son’s baseball match in the Czech Republic together over the past weekend.

Her split with her longtime partner is not the only trouble that has plagued Shakira recently. In an interview with The Guardian, the Hips Don’t Lie singer revealed that her career had nearly ended as she had lost her voice for two years in 2017. Since then, Shakira regained her voice and returned with new songs including the latest Te Felicito. Hips Don’t Lie also made it to Spotify’s Billions club for having over a billion streams.

Shakira shared that her song had made it to Spotify’s Billions club. @shakira/Instagram

While the drama surrounding her failing relationship continued to unfold, Shakira was spotted entering an ambulance in Barcelona. Putting to rest any speculation, she tweeted that she was accompanying her father to a hospital after he sustained an injury due to a fall. That apart, the singer remains plagued by a lawsuit where she faces charges of tax fraud.

While the 35-year-old footballer continues to maintain his impeccable record, the 45-year-old performer continues to awe with her uplifting social media and stage presence.

Shakira has continued to show a positive face with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where she awed us by excelling at the ‘Watch-It-Once TikTok Challenge’. She is also hosting NBC’s dance show Dance with Myself, along with Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ husband Nick Jonas. And despite this string of challenges, Shakira continues to look as youthful as she did in her music video Whenever, Wherever back in 2001.