Shakira was once again the talk of the town during the 2026 World Cup, though this time it wasn’t just because of the success of “Dai Dai,” the tournament’s official song, but also because of the heartfelt message she dedicated to French soccer player Kylian Mbappé.
The Colombian singer took advantage of her presence at one of the World Cup matches to recall a gesture the striker had made toward her during the production of the song’s music video—a moment that, as she confessed, holds a very special place among her memories.
The artist’s words piqued the curiosity of her followers, who discovered a little-known aspect of her professional relationship with one of the leading figures in international soccer.
Shakira and the story about soccer player Mbappé
On July 9, 2026, Shakira attended the match between France and Morocco, one of the most anticipated games of the tournament. From the stadium, the singer shared a video on her Instagram Stories to publicly thank Mbappé for the support he gave her during one of the most important musical projects of her recent career.
In her message, the singer revealed that the French forward was the first world-class soccer player to agree to appear in the music video for “Dai Dai,” a detail she said she will never forget.
For Shakira, that support was especially meaningful, since it came when the project was just beginning to take shape and other figures from the world of soccer had not yet been confirmed.
The artist explained that Mbappé’s involvement was much more than just a promotional collaboration.
According to him, the French striker believed from the start in the musical project that sought to bring soccer and music together during the 2026 World Cup.
That vote of confidence, he recalled, allowed him to move the project forward and encouraged other major sports stars to later agree to appear in the music video.
The tribute to Mbappé was enthusiastically received by fans, who highlighted the mutual respect between the two and the way the singer chose to publicly thank him for his support.
“Dai Dai” has established itself as one of the biggest musical hits associated with the 2026 World Cup, and much of its impact is due to the participation of some of the biggest names in international soccer.
In addition to Kylian Mbappé, the music video features soccer players such as Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, who also agreed to take part in the production.
However, Shakira wanted to make it clear that it was the French striker who paved the way by being the first to say “yes” to the initiative.
That detail, which until now had been unknown to many fans, gave new meaning to the collaboration between the singer and the world’s soccer stars.
A message for France and its fans
In addition to honoring Mbappé, Shakira took the opportunity to thank the French public for the support she has received this year.
The singer highlighted the warm reception her songs have received in France and celebrated the international reach of “Dai Dai,” a song that has accompanied millions of fans throughout the World Cup.
The message was also interpreted as a sign of the close ties the Colombian artist maintains with the world of soccer—a relationship she has strengthened throughout her career through various collaborations and buzzy projects related to the sport.
Shakira’s presence at the 2026 World Cup has once again reaffirmed her ability to bring together two of the world’s greatest passions: music and soccer.
With the success of “Dai Dai” and collaborations with figures such as Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé, the artist continues to solidify her role as one of the performers most closely associated with major international sporting events.
His recent message not only served to express gratitude toward Mbappé, but also to remind us that behind every great project there are gestures of trust and support that, over time, take on an even more special meaning.
Here’s the Dai Dai video featuring a special appearance by Mbappé.
