Shakira And Gerard Pique Reportedly Had An Open Relationship For Years

Footballer Gerard Pique and singer Shakira surprised many when they announced on Saturday that they were splitting up amid cheating rumors.

It has been claimed that the decision to release the joint statement was a unilateral one on the part of the singer. This move apparently surprised the Barcelona defender, who had been in a relationship with Shakira for 11 years, reported All Football. The claim was made by journalist Jose Antonio Aviles, who appeared on the "Viva la Vida" show after interacting with people close to Pique. The reporter said that someone very close to "Pique has assured me that there was no infidelity on his part." He added that there was "great surprise at the break-up and the statement that Shakira has sent."

The former couple have had an "open relationship" over the past few years, claimed the journalist. Aviles claimed that their agreement was "you do what you want and I'll do what I want," but they had to "present themselves as a couple to the public."

The pair's statement started with, "We regret to confirm that we are separating." It further read that for the well-being of their children, who are "our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy." The footballer and the Colombian singer have two children together -- Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7.

Even before Saturday's statement, there have been many rumors about the couple over the past week. Some claimed that Pique had cheated on Shakira, and that the footballer has been living away from his family in his own apartment for several months.

According to Marca, the definitive decision to split up and to release a statement was made after Shakira twice tried to mend her relationship with the footballer. Even as the relationship started to crumble, Shakira was said to be so in love that she tried to get back together with Pique. There were reports that Pique had been seen with a 22-year-old blonde woman. Journalist Lorena Vazquez stated on "Ya es Mediodia" that Pique had wanted to "separate for a while, but not Shakira."

According to Daily Star, Pique met Shakira while he was training for Spain ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Her hit song, "Waka Waka," was being used as the official song for the competition that year.