Shakira Not Romancing Tennis Star Rafael Nadal

Tue, 16 February 2010 03:51:47 ET

Slamming down speculation of any romantic relationship between the two, the athlete's rep says, 'It was a dinner organized with the director to brief Rafa on what was expected from him in the video.'

Shakira has sparked rumor of her possibly dating tennis star Rafael Nadal after they were spotted dining together at the W Hotel in Barcelona. The former World No. 1's representative Benito Perez-Barbadillo, however, was quick to come out with a denial, clarifying to the New York Post why the two got together in the first place. "It was a dinner organized with the director to brief Rafa on what was expected from him in the video," he said.

Perez-Barbadillo further insisted the Columbian singer and the Spanish tennis player were not alone at the dinner as they were joined by his manager Carlos Costa and video director Jaume de Laiguana. "We were all there, and Shakira only came when we'd finished the main course to have something to drink, accompanied by her manager, Ceci Kurzman, and Jaume," he explained.

Contrary to what has been said Perez-Barbadillo, an eyewitness told the New York Post that Shakira and Rafael Nadal seemed to be cozying up during the dinner. "There was just the two of them at the table together," the observer said. "They were whispering and all smiles. It definitely looked like they are more than just friends. They were there for a few days shooting."

Despite the new romance speculation, Shakira has been engaged to her longtime boyfriend Antonio de la Rua, the son of the then President of Argentina Fernando de la Rua, since 2001. Meanwhile, Nadal has been in a relationship with his high school sweetheart Maria Francisca Perello, aka Xisca, for nearly four years.

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