Gerard Pique has been spotted at a Swedish restaurant with a mystery blonde... just days after his split from Shakira was confirmed.
The former Spain international, 35, revealed his 11-year relationship with the award-winning Colombian singer, 45, was over earlier this month and the ex-couple have been subject to intense scrutiny in the press and on social media ever since.
The picture of Pique and the blonde was uploaded to social media by Katrin Zytomierska, the owner of the restaurant, after Pique allegedly refused to greet her football-loving son. She claimed fame had gone to the footballer's head and branded him a "loser".
In the photo, Pique is wearing a hoodie and his companion is sporting a white hat. Katrin is a famous blogger and television host in Sweden - boasting more than 169,000 followers on her now private Instagram account - and didn't hold back when criticising Pique.
"Listen to me your loser Gerard Pique," wrote Katrin. "Probably most girls at this party want to **** you. I see you and immediately think of my son. I was clear with you. I asked you to say hello to my son. You said 'no'. Because you're what? A guy that can dribble a ball?
"That does not impress me much. What makes me sad is that fame has got into your head and that is pathetic. Your are not all that, you are just a guy with a ball. I have got that myself, a boy with a ball. But you know what karma is a b**** and it will bite you in your ******* a***."
What do you make the picture? Let us know in the comments below!
Katrin privatised her Instagram account amid the anger caused by the post. She went on to tell Catalan-based journalists Lorena Vasquez and Laura Fa: "I asked if he could say ‘hello’ to my son and he said ‘no’.
"A little surprised I asked him again and his response was the same. He wasn’t rude, but he was a little bit arrogant. I suppose that because he's such a well-known footballer… but I hadn’t met him until then. Afterwards I took the photo to post it on my Instagram."
Reporters in Spain have tried to identify the mystery blonde in the photo but have had no luck. Pique is one of the most decorated Spanish footballers of all time - winning eight La Liga titles, the Premier League title, four Champions Leagues and other club honours.
At international level, Pique won the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros two years later. He won 102 caps for Spain before retiring in 2018, scoring five goals. The centre-back has made more than 650 club appearances, including 40 for Barcelona last season.
Shakria, meanwhile, is one of best-selling musicians of all-time and has recorded 11 studio albums. The Grammy winner has two No1 singles in the UK - "Hips Don't Lie" and "Beautiful Liar".
Pique and Shakira announced their separation at the beginning of June. "We regret to confirm that we are parting ways," read a statement. "For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding."
