The 25-year-old Spain and Barcelona FC defender published an ultrasound image Thursday showing a profile of the foetus' head and chest, with the comment: "His first pic! #excited #cute."

By Friday the picture on @3gerardpique had been reposted more than 6,000 times.

Shakira, 35, known for hits from "Hips Don't Lie" to the official FIFA World Cup song "Waka Waka", made no comment on her Twitter account.