Shakira says she watches every match of beau Pique

Colombian singer Shakira has said that she never misses a match where her boyfriend, Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique, is playing.

Aware of the "dedication, commitment, discipline and teamwork" needed to play professional soccer, the vocalist said in an interview with the website FIFA.com that she gives Pique her support in every way he needs. "It can't be easy having a performer as a partner either!" she laughed.

Pique plays professionally for FC Barcelona and is a member of Spain's national team.

Associated with soccer through her performances at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals, the artist says that the sport, about which she is particularly impressed by the intelligence it requires, has won her over completely.

"(O)nce you start to understand football you realize that it's not just about the physical side of the game and chasing after a ball," the "Waka Waka" singer said.

It was at the World Cup finals that she realized "the importance and impact this sport has on the lives of billions of people every day, on the dreams of the young people and children who devote so many hours of their lives to playing the game", she said.

For that reason, Shakira said she would love to be present at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. "I'm not sure in what capacity, but I'll definitely be there."