Shakira and Gerard Pique hand-in-hand for cameras as they appear to confirm relationship

By
Jody Thompson
Last updated at 9:13 PM on 23rd February 2011

She-wolf Shakira showed she is just a pussycat in the presence of her apparent new man when the pair went out to dinner in Barcelona earlier this week.

In pictures that finally appear to prove they are a couple after weeks of insisting they are just good friends, footballer Gerard Pique gently led the Whenever, Wherever star hand as they left their car and entered an eaterie in the city.

The handsome 24-year-old blue-eyed FC Barcelona defender had been squiring the 34-year-old Colombian beauty around the Catalonian capital before they decided to stop for a bite to eat.

Pics don’t lie: Shakira was seen hand-in-hand with footballer Gerard Pique yesterday as they left a restaurant in Barcelona

Look of love? Pair beam for the cameras on their night out in the Catalonian capital

It certainly seems that Shakira isn’t alone in her appreciation of her new beau’s good looks either – Spanish fashion chain Mango have just signed him up as the face of their men’s H.E. range.

The pair both beamed for the cameras as they pulled up in a car outside the restaurant, and didn’t hide their hand holding as they made their way inside.

Former Manchester United player Pique was wearing a trendy Steve McQueen t-shirt while Shakira was wearing a daring plunge necked black top with an eye-catching black beaded necklace and black blazer.

Brooding good looks: Pique was wearing a trendy Steve McQueen t-shirt

Shakira announced at the start of the year that her 11-year relationship with lawyer Antonio de la Rua, 37, the eldest son of the former Argentinian premier, amid rumours that he had been cheating on her.

Whatever the truth of why their relationship foundered, it appears the Hips Don’t Lie singer has landed on her feet with a new relationship with a hunky toyboy.

Caught! Shakira (2nd left) and her rumoured boyfriend, footballer Gerard Pique were snapped together at Barcelona airport yesterday

A fortnight ago 24-year-old Pique, who plays for FC Barcelona, uploaded a photograph from his birthday on February 2 of himself and the Colombian singer celebrating with friends.

The singer first met Pique last spring while shooting the video to her
song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) – the official track of the 2010
World Cup.

Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico de Catalunya
claimed they had a string of secret encounters following their initial
meeting.

One of the gang: Shakira (centre) was pictured next to Gerard Pique in this photo from his birthday celebrations on February 2

However, Shakira has previously dismissed reports of a romance.
At a recent press conference in Barcelona she described the claims as a
‘waka-rumour’ and added: ‘You shouldn’t take any notice of
waka-rumours.’

Pique was also quick to deny that they were lovers, telling reporters last month:  ‘We’re
just friends. There’s nothing more to it.’

But the tide seems to have
turned and if the recent pictures are anything to go by, the pair may be
on the brink of going public.

‘Happy’: Shakira told reporters of her happiness over her recent move to Barcelona during a visit to the Dali museum with her brother Tonino last week

Last week Shakira couldn’t stop
grinning as she was quizzed about her recent move to Barcelona by
reporters outside the Dali museum in the nearby town of Figueres.

When asked if she was enjoying her new life in the city, she replied: ‘Yes, of course, I am very happy.’

The singer has been living in a luxury rented house on the outskirts of the city.

Split: The singer announced her break-up with Antonio de la Rua after 11 years together in January

The property, which is on the site of an old convent, is also where Shakira stayed last year while she was filming the video for her single Loca.

Shakira however has now flown back to South America, where she is
preparing to launch the latest leg of her Sale E Sol world tour.

It kicks off in Salta, Argentina, on 1 March.

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