Gerard Piqué has opened up about life after splitting from Shakira in a new interview.
The Spanish former footballer, 36, said he is “very happy” since he separated from the Colombian singer, 46, last year, and has moved on with girlfriend Clara Chia, 23.
The couple, who went public with their relationship in January, have been at the centre of backlash after Shakira appeared to diss them in track BZRP Music Session #53, suggesting that Piqué cheated on her with Chia.
Last month, the singer performed the song on Jimmy Fallon as fans in the studio joined in and her two children with Piqué were in the audience, adding further controversy to her and the ex-footballer’s public spat.
Piqué refused to discuss ex Shakira on a Spanish radio station last week as he “didn’t feel like it”, however later said he is happy with the changes in his life, following the pair’s split, and continues to focus on “my job as a father.”
Piqué told Spanish newspaper El Pais: “Each parent has the responsibility to try to do the best for their children.
“It’s about protecting them. That’s the work of all parents with their children. That’s what I’m focused on and that’s my job as a father.”
Piqué said he wants to be “true to myself” moving forward, and shared his disregard in salvaging his public image.
“The day I die, I will look behind me and I hope to have done everything I wanted,” the ex-sportsman continued.
“I’m not going to spend money on cleaning up my image. The people I worry about and love are the ones that know me. I don’t care about the rest.
“I channel my energy into being with my people and giving them what I have. I am very happy.
“There have been changes in my life and I have known how to maintain my happiness.”
It was recently reported that Piqué was asked if he’d heard Shakira’s diss track exposing their break-up on the Spanish radio show RAC1.
The former footballer had responded: “Yes, obviously”, adding “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Piqué continued: “We have a responsibility, those of us who are parents must protect our children. Each one makes their decisions. I don’t feel like talking any more. I just want my children to be well.”
