Pique tight-lipped on Shakira romance

Spanish World Cup star Gerard Pique on Thursday told reporters that he would prefer to talk about football than discuss his burgeoning romance with singing superstar Shakira.

The 24-year-old Barcelona centre-back has become the focus of intense media attention in Spain this week after pictures of him hand in hand with the 34-year-old Colombian singer were published in gossip magazines.

"I'd like it if people only talked about me from a sporting perspective but I get the impression that, ultimately, it's inevitable," said Pique during a press conference at Barca's training centre.

"I think that the other aspect sells more."

He added: "I accept that people can criticise me for sporting reasons but what I don't like is when they use an easy excuse and say that my performances are affected by my private life.

"If we're here it's to talk about football."