Colombian singer, Shakira may have earned accolades as she sizzled in her stellar performance at the 2014 Final World Cup closing ceremony. But to the 37-year old singer, the role played by soccer and how it has changed her life is what she paid tribute to as she prepared to perform at the sports events.

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According to the Huffington Post, Shakira, whose real name, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripol thanked football for the life she has today, saying, she "will never forget that I met the love of my life at the World Cup."

World Cup has a close place in Shakira’s heart. This year is her third appearance in the sports celebrity event. It will be recalled that Shakira headlined the World Cup in 2010 when she promoted the World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka - - Time for Africa,” which eventually became the biggest-selling World Cup of all time.

It was when she met her current beau, Spain defender, Gerard Pique. Four years later, the couple now shared the love of 18-month old son, Milan Piqué Mebarak who was born on January 22, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain.

Speaking before her big performance at the closing ceremony, Shakira emphasized that "if it wasn't for the World Cup my son Milan would not be here," said Fox News. Admitting that her beau was affected by his team’s early exit, the singer teased that "I have a way of consoling him."

Shakira performed in Maracana Stadium to make way for her “La La La (Brazil 2014).

The HollywoodLife noted that Shakira gave a “blowout, electrifying performance,” at the 2014 Brazil World Cup Closing Ceremony. The Hollywood Reporter called it a “winning performance,” the web site described her sizzling hot “wearing a red dress made up of sequined straps with a revealing fringe skirt.” She was seen playing the drums as she hit the stage accompanied by samba dancers and Brazilian percussionists and collaborator Carlinhos Brown.

Shakira is known best for her early works including Magia and Peligro created in the early 1990s. She rose to international fame with the release of Pies Descalzos in 1996 and Dónde Están los Ladrones in 1998.

Video/YouTube: Shakira - La La La (Brazil Closing Ceremony 2014) with Carlinhos Brown

TagsFifa World Cup 2014, Shakira