Gerard Piqué mourns grandmother's passing as Shakira

Gerard Piqué is mourning the loss of his paternal grandmother, Lina Rovira Montsant, who passed away at 102 years old. The former Barcelona defender was supported by his girlfriend, Clara Chía, during the funeral in Lleida, Spain, last Tuesday.

Shakira has publicly credited the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' for bringing her together with Gerard Piqué. The singer told Noticias Caracol that the song changed her life, leading to her meeting the father of her children. They met in 2010, months before the South Africa World Cup for which she wrote the track. Their relationship became official on Twitter later that year. The couple, who announced their separation in June 2022, have two sons together, Milan and Sasha.

Shakira's connection to FIFA's biggest musical moments is long-standing. She performed a 'Bamboo' version of 'Hips Don't Lie' for the 2006 Germany World Cup. Ahead of the 2014 Brazil tournament, she released 'Dare (La La La)', which featured Piqué and their first son, Milan. She missed the 2018 Russia event for health reasons and declined involvement in Qatar 2022, joining artists who opposed human rights abuses there.

Clara Chía, Piqué's girlfriend, was his constant companion during the difficult farewell to his grandmother. Photos from the funeral show the former athlete visibly affected, holding Chía's hand throughout the procession. The 27-year-old kept a low profile, offering quiet support to Piqué and his family. She attended in a simple black T-shirt and beige pants, while Piqué wore a white polo shirt and black trousers.

The wake for Lina Rovira Montsant was held at the Sant Guim de Freixenet funeral home between 5:00 p.m. And 8:30 p.m. Last Tuesday. A funeral mass followed at the Sagrat Cor de Sant Guim church around noon the next day. Piqué's parents, Joan Piqué and Montserrat Bernabéu, also attended. The family is gathering privately to remember a woman who lived for over a century.

Shakira is returning to the FIFA stage as the lead artist for the 2026 World Cup's official song, 'Dai, Dai'. She has pledged 100% of the royalties from this track to FIFA's education fund. "Every time people watch the video or listen to the song they will be doing the same, a joint effort to create opportunities for education around the world," she said. The single has already hit number one on Billboard and topped Spotify's Top Global chart.

Her 2026 return marks a significant comeback after stepping back from the last two tournaments. Shakira is the most awarded Latin artist in history, with multiple Grammys, Latin Grammys, and Billboard Latin Music Awards. The donation of 'Dai, Dai' royalties continues her philanthropic work, directly linking her musical success to global educational causes.

• Gerard Piqué's grandmother, Lina Rovira Montsant, died at 102. The funeral was held in Lleida, Spain, last Tuesday.
• Shakira says the 2010 World Cup song 'Waka Waka' led to her meeting Piqué. They were together from 2010 until separating in June 2022.
• Shakira is donating all royalties from the 2026 World Cup song 'Dai, Dai' to FIFA's education fund. The track is currently number one globally.