The real reason Pique retired involved Shakira

Fans mocked up a version of a Spotify-sponsored Barcelona kit to rub in the split between Gerard Pique and Shakira four months ago. Reports in Spain suggested Pique would have to wear ex-girlfriend Shakira's name on his shirt as part of their partnership with Spotify. Pique and singer Shakira announced their split in July after 12 years of marriage.

Barcelona will team up with artists for special kits as part of the Spotify arrangement. The Catalan side had Drake's owl logo on their shirts for El Clasico. Barcelona fans promised to stream Shakira's music every day on Spotify in a bid to make things awkward for her ex-husband, after a mock-up showed her name on the front of the shirt.

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Barcelona, who are sponsored by Spotify, are collaborating with major music artists for one-off shirt designs, with rapper Drake having his logo on the jersey for their El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid. Now, after fans mocked up Shakira's name as the next artist collaboration for Barcelona, reports in Spain have suggested it could potentially become a reality, making things incredibly awkward for Pique.

Pique and Latin singing sensation Shakira split in July following 12 years of marriage. The Barcelona defender is now dating 23-year-old Clara Chia Marti but, alas, fans seem desperate to see him made to wear a shirt bearing the name of his ex-girlfriend. Pique has two children - Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven - with the “Hips Don't Lie” singer.

What started as a hoax quickly became real

“I NEED TO SEE PIQUE IN THIS SHIRT,'” one eager fan wrote. “I will listen to Shakira every day just to get her logo on Pique's shirt,” another added. “Xavi I have never asked you for anything but make Pique the starter,” a third said, with the defender falling out of favour this season. While the shirt was mocked up by a parody account, it has swept through the Spanish press.