Pop superstar Shakira drew attention Sunday when she presented the Man of the Match award to Spain's Ferran Torres following his winning goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. The singer, 49, shared the stage with comedian Kevin Hart, 47, to honor the 26-year-old soccer player.
The interaction quickly prompted widespread commentary on social media, with many users referencing Shakira's ex-partner, former soccer player Gerard Pique. Fans speculated on Pique's potential reaction to Shakira's apparent camaraderie with Torres, who was lauded for his performance in the match against Argentina.
Comments on platforms like X included observations such as, "Shakira handing him MOTM... Torres [is] winning on and off the pitch tonight," and "Torres won her heart... he's gonna eat good." These remarks highlighted the perceived connection between Shakira and Torres, contrasting with her past relationship.
This marks Shakira's fourth engagement with the FIFA World Cup, a distinction that surpasses Pique's record of three participations as a player. Pique represented Spain in the tournaments of 2010, 2014, and 2018. Shakira's history with the event began with her performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, followed by appearances in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, with the 2026 games being particularly associated with her presence.
Shakira and Pique, who were together for 11 years, publicly ended their relationship in June 2022. The split reportedly followed allegations of Pique's infidelity with his now-girlfriend, Clara Chia. Pique was seen leaving the World Cup event on Sunday with the couple's sons, Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11.
Shakira has previously spoken about the impact of her separation. In a 2024 interview with GQ Spain, she described her twelfth studio album, 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,' as a crucial part of her healing process. "For many months after my separation I had been silent, trying to begin my mourning, but I couldn't really begin to grieve until I started writing music," she shared. "It was my way of healing. And it continues to be. Grief is a process that is not linear. It is full of peaks and valleys."
In a June cover story for People, Shakira reflected on the lessons learned from her breakup with Pique. "Behind every experience in life, there's always a lesson, and we have to be grateful for all those lessons, even for the people that leave you with scars," she stated, adding that these experiences ultimately strengthen individuals. She also expressed a newfound sense of resilience, noting, "I always thought that I was more fragile or weaker than what life proved me to be."
Shakira also discussed her enduring connection to the World Cup, the event where she first met Pique in 2010 when she performed "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" at the closing ceremony. "I have this connection with [soccer] that seems unbreakable," she said. She expressed hope that the 2026 World Cup would serve to unite people during a period she described as socially and politically sensitive.