Shakira’s Groundbreaking 25-Minute Halftime Show at Copa America Final Draws Applause and Criticism

Shakira’s Show at Copa America
Image: Sportskeeda

On July 14, 2024, Shakira had her first big performance at the Copa America final during halftime. This special match was between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

It was a big moment because it was the first time a Copa America final had a long halftime show like the Super Bowl, making the break 25 minutes instead of the usual 15.

Shakira wowed everyone with a mix of her famous songs like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Te Felicito,” “TQG,” and “Puntería.” She wore a shiny silver outfit and danced perfectly with a group of dancers and cool effects like big 3D wolves and floating gems.

She showed her love for her home country by shouting, “Te Quiero, Colombia!” during her performance.

Alejandro Domínguez, the president of CONMEBOL, praised Shakira, saying her music is loved all around the world.

“Her songs are sung and danced to everywhere, making her art a global phenomenon. We believe her performance at Copa América USA 2024 will spread the message of healthy passion and unity through sport,” he said.

However, not everyone was happy. Nestor Lorenzo, the coach of Colombia’s team, worried that the longer halftime might affect his players.

“I hope you enjoy Shakira’s show, she is great,” Lorenzo said, but he was concerned. He thought the longer break could disrupt the players’ rhythm and make them less effective, a problem he felt both teams faced. Lorenzo was also upset because teams had been punished before for being late, but now the rules were more relaxed for the show.

The Copa America final is one of the most-watched football events in the world.

Besides Shakira, other stars like Karol G and Abel Pintos sang the national anthems of Colombia and Argentina, and Feid and Maluma were also there, making it a star-filled event.

The event was shown on many TV channels and streaming services in the U.S., including Univision, TUND, UniMás, FOX, and more, reaching millions of viewers. Shakira’s performance showed her global star power and highlighted how sports and entertainment can come together in a fantastic way.