The 2026 FIFA World Cup final not only brought together thousands of fans, celebrities, and heads of state at New York New Jersey Stadium, it also became the place where Shakira and Gerard Piqué, in a way, crossed paths again, each from their own corner. While the singer was focused on her halftime show, her ex was in charge of looking after their boys from the stands.
Cameras captured Gerard Piqué arriving at the stadium, where he not only celebrated Spain’s victory over “La albiceleste,” but also watched the halftime performance in which the Colombian star gave it her all to make the show truly unforgettable.
© Kevin KaneVideos of Piqué and his two sons, Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11, arriving at the stadium quickly went viral on social media. They were also seen accompanied by Sergio Busquets, the former Spanish national team player.
In the clips, Milan appears almost as tall as his dad. As soon as Piqué noticed the cameras on him, he took on a protective stance with his sons, even as some people recognized him and asked for photos.
© Getty ImagesNone of the three were wearing a Spain national team jersey, but it was obvious they were rooting for “La Roja.” This World Cup was especially meaningful for Shakira and Piqué’s sons, since they not only watched their home country win (both boys were born in Spain), but also got to witness the historic halftime show their mom was part of.
In one video circulating online, Sasha and another child can be seen singing the World Cup anthem shortly before kickoff. The stadium speakers began to blast Dai Dai as the protocol ceremony to present each country’s flag got underway.
Shakira and her personal World Cup story
Sixteen years ago, Gerard Piqué was out on the pitch celebrating with the Spanish national team after their victory over the Netherlands. That time, Spain won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, taking home its first-ever World Cup trophy. That edition of the tournament was also a turning point for Shakira, who was the artist chosen to perform the iconic Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).
© Kevin MazurDuring the filming of the music video, the Colombian singer met Piqué, and that collaboration changed both of their lives forever. Sparks flew, and by the end of the tournament Spain were world champions.
© JEWEL SAMADIn 2011, the artist and the player’s relationship went public, and in 2013 they welcomed their first child. “If it hadn’t been for the World Cup, my son Milan wouldn’t exist,” she pointed out years later.
In 2014, soccer crossed paths with the singer’s career once again when she returned to the World Cup stage with La La La (Brazil 2014). Minutes before the final between Germany and Argentina, the Colombian star performed at the closing ceremony and was photographed with the first hint of a baby bump with her second child.
© Matthias HangstWeeks after that World Cup, in August 2014, Shakira announced she was pregnant with her second baby, and in January 2015 Sasha was born, expanding a family she herself once described as the greatest gift of her life.
© Jason KempinSixteen years after that fateful meeting between Shakira and Gerard Piqué, things look very different. Both have moved on with their lives following their high-profile split in 2022. The former Barcelona defender is in a relationship with Clara Chía, one of his colleagues at his company Kosmos, while the singer relocated to Miami and has reignited her music career with a hugely successful world tour.
