I left South Africa as a different person.

Gérard Pique: “The first time I met Shakira was in Madrid when we were fliming the video for ‘Waka Waka’ before the 2010 World Cup and I asked for her number. She arrived in South Africa before us as she was singing at the opening ceremony. I sent her a text asking how the weather was because we were arriving in few days. This is a typical stupid question you write and normally get a response like ‘It’s cold, bring a coat’. But then she writes a long text, detailing the change in temperature throughout the day.
I thought ‘Jesus, this isnt normal’. It was in those details that I could tell there was an affection. We started messaging throughout the tournament.
However, the only chance I would have of seeing her would be at the final as she was performing in the closing ceremony. I told her that if I had to reach the final to see her, I would do so.
The final was the best thing I had experienced since Spain won the World Cup and I met the love of my life. I left South Africa as a different person.”