Barcelona defender Gerard Pique allegedly splits up from Shakira

There are widespread reports in both the Spanish and Colombian media on Thursday that Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has split from pop star Shakira.

In recent days, Colombian news reports have suggested that Shakira and Pique were thinking of separating.

And, that Shakira has moved out of the family home in Barcelona.

On Thursday, Spanish website Cotilleo has confirmed the news, which is sure to be a big story across the planet.

Speculation has been rife since June when Pique and Shakira were last seen in public together.

This was at Leo Messi’s wedding to Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario, Argentina.

As it stands, neither Pique or Shakira have confirmed the break-up. But, “sources close to the singer have confirmed the separation”.

If today’s reports are to be believed, an official announcement is “imminent”.

And, according to Cotillo: “It’s something serious and she’s finally made the decision”.

Gerard Pique and Shakira have two children together: Milan, 4, and Sasha, 2.

This news caps an extraordinarily difficult week for Gerard Pique.

After voting in the Catalonia independence referendum, Pique played in Barcelona’s La Liga win over Las Palmas. At an empty Camp Nou.

Pique then offered to retire from the Spanish national team.

The Barcelona defender was then booed at Spanish national team training. And, then gave an extraordinary press conference where he put forward his point of view, in an impressive eloquent style.

Spain plays against Albania on Friday night and then in Israel on Monday.

This is not the first time rumours have emerged on the internet suggesting that Pique and Shakira are close to splitting up.