Global superstar Shakira sparked controversy with her World Cup final support that left her household split.
The Colombian singer, 49, headlined the halftime show with her official World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, as Argentina and Spain faced off with her sons and ex-partner Gerard Pique watching on from the stands at MetLife Stadium.
Pique, a former World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, and their sons, Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11, were rooting for the eventual champions, left elated by La Roja’s 1-0 victory in extra time.
However, the Hips Don’t Lie songstress appeared to have landed herself in hot water ahead of kickoff when she revealed her own pick for the final.
Astonishingly, despite the rest of her family’s allegiances to Spain, Shakira admitted that she would be supporting Argentina and Lionel Messi in the showdown.
‘I have two Spanish sons. They are supporting Spain,’ she explained when asked by RTVE who she was supporting.
Global superstar Shakira sparked controversy with her World Cup final support
Shakira shares her two sons – Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11, with her ex-partner, former soccer star Gerard Pique with both boys born in Barcelona, Spain
After a slight hesitation, she continued: ‘I’m Messi’s friend and I’m also very proud of everything that he has achieved, because you have to recognize that at age 39, to run the way he does, face 18- and 19-year-old athletes, and score so many goals. This ambition that he has, I admire it a lot.’
She doubled down on her support of Argentina following the game, expressing her pride in La Albiceleste despite their defeat.
‘To my Argentinians, I am very proud of you, of Lionel Messi, most of all, and thank you for representing all us latinos so well at this 2026 World Cup,’ she wrote on her Instagram story.
‘Always in my heart,’ she added with an Argentinian flag emoji and red heart.
Her comments triggered backlash from the Spanish fanbase, however, as many hit out at the pop star for not backing La Roja despite her ties to the country.
‘What a ridiculous woman! Her children are Spanish…but her hatred for Piqué can do it,’ one social media user wrote.
‘Please @FIFAcom, don’t let this lady make any more songs,’ another pleaded in response to a clip of the interview.
‘Has a house in Spain, both kids were born in Spain, but yet Shakira’s twerking for Argentina,’ a third disgruntled user shared. ‘Pique did irreversible damage.’
Shakira and Pique, pictured in happier times in 2015, split in June 2022 amid cheating rumors
The Hips Don’t Lie singer praised Argentina star and ‘friend’ Lionel Messi for his achievements
The Colombian singer headlined the halftime show with her official World Cup anthem, Dai Dai
Others appeared to attribute Shakira’s support of Argentina to pettiness over her split from retired soccer star Pique.
‘I think that deep down in her heart, she really, really wanted Argentina to win so she could rub it in her failed ex’s face out of spite, ha,’ one fan posted.
‘I get that you hate Piqué with all your might but this is ugly, friend,’ added another.
Shakira welcomed both her sons in Barcelona, while living in the Spanish city for her ex-partner’s soccer career.
She and Pique, who met on the set of the music video for Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, split in June 2022 following 11 years of dating.
Following the news of their breakup, it was rumored that the soccer player had been unfaithful. He allegedly had an affair with now-girlfriend Clara Chia Marti, who he began dating shortly after the split.
Shakira released a viral diss track, ‘BZRP Music Sessions #53,’ in January 2023 which heavily alluded to the betrayal.
Following their separation, the former couple reached a custody agreement and Shakira and her two sons relocated to Miami.
Earlier this year, Shakira also secured a major legal battle with Spanish authorities when the taxman was ordered to return €55million ($63m) to her after she was cleared in a years-long tax fraud case.
Shakira separated from former Argentinian president’s son Antonio de la Rua in August 2010 before starting a relationship with Pique in 2011.
