The 51cm difference: Shakira sparks Ex-Real Madrid dating rumors amid Piqué custody battle

Colombian music star Shakira has recently been linked to former NBA and Real Madrid basketball player Serge Ibaka as she concludes her "Women No Longer Cry" world tour.

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Concert appearances and viral photos

Spanish journalist Jordi Martin has reported that Shakira and Ibaka have grown close in recent months. The former basketball star who played for the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers, recently attended several of the singer's shows during her 13 concert residency at a specially constructed venue in the Spanish capital.

This follows Ibaka's appearance at her July concert at the Barclays Center in New York. Following that show, he posted pictures on Instagram describing it as a "great show".

The post included a lighthearted photo of the pair that highlighted their significant height difference, with Ibaka standing at 208 centimetres compared to Shakira's 157 centimetres.

A shared trip to Paris

The rumours intensified after Martin reported that Shakira and Ibaka travelled together on a private jet from Madrid to Paris. Taking advantage of a short break in her tour schedule, the singer headed to the French capital for Paris Fashion Week, an event frequently attended by the fashion conscious former athlete.

Despite the growing speculation in the Spanish media, both parties have maintained their silence regarding the nature of their relationship. Observers have also noted that the two do not currently follow each other on Instagram.

Custody discussions with Piqué

The dating rumours arrive shortly after a notable development in Shakira's personal life. Just days prior to the reports, the singer and her former partner, Gerard Piqué, appeared in court to discuss modifying the custody arrangements for their two children, Milan and Sasha, specifically focusing on reducing the frequency of their transcontinental flights.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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