Obviously, the response was already planned and rehearsed. She knew they were going to ask her about the alleged romance between her and the former Barça player that had emerged while filming the Waka Waka music video (This is Africa) for the South Africa World Cup.
We all laughed. In the back of the room, in the shadows, de la Rúa smiled. He had no choice. In reality, they had separated in August because the singer had cheated on him with the footballer, although they remained linked in business.
This couple is back in the spotlight because in recent months there have been rumors of a possible reconciliation. The son of former Argentine president Fernando de la Rúa has shared some intimate moments with the interpreter of La Bicicleta, like when the paparazzi captured them a few weeks ago at a restaurant in Miami with Milan (12) and Sasha (10) - the children she had with Piqué - and at the end of August at the concert the Barranquilla native performed in Mexico City.
Among the songs performed on stage was Días de enero, specially composed for the one who in the past was not only her great love but also her manager. In fact, last March it was revealed that he had regained that position in Shakira's new concert tour. So far, neither of them has confirmed a rekindling of their love.
The millionaire artist and the businessman met in Buenos Aires in 2000 after being introduced during a dinner by mutual friends. It wasn't until the following year that Shakira mentioned in some interviews that he was "the love of her life" and also her "best friend and confidant." In fact, he was also very important in the singer's career because he was the driving force behind her conquest of the Anglo-Saxon market, making her one of the world's leading figures. He helped her in the creative and commercial process of Laundry Service, one of her successful albums with over 13 million units sold.
They settled in an incredible mansion in Miami, enjoyed luxurious vacations, savored the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and, of course, traveled around the world without fear of being caught in a loving attitude. Such was their connection that Shakira dedicated the song Suerte to him, swearing that she wanted him for life.
But all that came to nothing. In the summer of 2010, everything was over. In March 2011, the singer and the athlete made their relationship official on the streets of Barcelona. From that moment on, the competition between Piqué and the paparazzi became a dangerous rally as the former defender drove at over 200 km/h through the streets to evade the press.
The relationship with one of the world's most famous singers also led to Piqué's breakup with his girlfriend, Nuria Tomás (35), daughter of the iconic ham entrepreneur Enrique Tomás. Over time, Shakira and Piqué built several mansions on the same property in Ciudad Diagonal - one of the most elite areas on the outskirts of Barcelona - so that the whole family - including her parents, William and Nidia - could enjoy the desired anonymity.
Who would have thought that the singer would experience the same fate when, after hiring a detective, she discovered that Piqué was cheating on her with a much younger woman, Clara Chía (26). In June 2022, everything exploded. The couple separated after twelve years of relationship, and the accusations began. The artist came out richer with the release of her breakup song 'Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan...".