Scroll down for video…

Jenny made the crowd rock! J-Lo, 44, wows as she performs during the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil prior to the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on Thursday

The trio put on a spirited show as they jumped up and down on stage, swaying their arms and encouraging the screaming crowds to join in.

As they finished the song and walked around the stadium, Jennifer looked overcome with emotion and almost tearful as she mouthed ‘thank you’ to the crowds and touched her chest with her hand.

Bouncing back! After a rocky few weeks that has seen the star split from her long-term boyfriend Casper Smart – Jennifer managed to put on a spirited performance on Thursday as jumped for joy on stage

We don’t how she does it! J-Lo showed off her unbelievable figure and looked much younger than her 44-years

 

It has certainly been an emotional time for Jennifer, who after splitting from her boyfriend Casper Smart, was rumoured not to be making an appearance today.

There had been reports that Jennifer was bouncing back to happiness with dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy – but J-Lo has since denied the report, tweeting: ‘No I’m not. #rumors #nottrue’ responding to a question about the romance from a fan.

People reported that J-Lo met the 34-year-old hunk through mutual friend Leah Remini and claimed the two having been taking their time getting to know each other, as they are both busy with their careers.

What a show! J-Lo chose a VERY plunging neckline to perform the official FIFA song We Are One (Ole Ola) on Thursday

Jenny on the block: Lopez strutted her stuff on top of a podium situated in the middle of the arena

No holding her back: There had been initial reports that Jennifer was due to drop out, but by the looks of her energetic performance there was nothing that could have kept her away from the stage

Overjoyed: After her recent heartbreak, following her split from Casper Smart, Jennifer looked to be filled with happiness as she performed on stage

Upstaged? Never! J-Lo did her best to outshine her rival pop star Claudia… who at one point appeared to have lost her microphone

‘He danced with her at the [American Music Awards last November] and they kept in touch,’ a source told the publication.

Maksim was previously linked to Kate Upton, who at 22 is exactly half the age of J-Lo.

Meanwhile, appearing to confirm the rumours, Jennifer and Leah attended Maksim’s brother Val’s birthday party in Los Angeles in March.

And the insider believes they may become an official couple, saying: ‘I think they could. Who knows what will happen?’

But multiple sources with Us Weekly deny the romance, saying that the two are ‘just friends’.

J-Lo teases her World Cup onstage wardrobe via InstagramLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00PreviousPlaySkipMuteCurrent Time0:00/Duration Time0:44FullscreenNeed Text

MORE VIDEOS

• 1
• 2
• 3

• • Watch videoI’m A Celeb: Nella and Fred have a blazing row at camp
  • Watch videoI’m A Celeb: Marvin Humes shares unusual way he grafted wife Rochelle
  • Watch videoCliff Richard admits turning down meeting Elvis because he got fat
  • Watch videoRichard Madeley accidentally calls James Haskell his ‘son in law’
• • Watch videoJaret Reddick looks unrecognizable while surprising fan in bar
  • Watch videoFergie gets starstruck as she interviews Cliff Richard on This Morning
  • Watch videoDame Joan Collins was asked to ‘take off make up’ to resume acting
  • Watch videoDianne Buswell breaks down in tears during dance off results
• • Watch videoGreat British Bake Off: Tasha gets eliminated from tonight’s episode
  • Watch videoI’m A Celebrity: Jamie Lynn Spears weeps over missing her children
  • Watch video’You get the face you deserve’: Lorraine finds out Nigel Farage is 59
  • Watch videoFred Sirieix reveals when he is planning to marry fiancé Fruitcake

Joining her on stage: Brazilian pop singer Cláudia Leitte also gave J-Lo a run for her money in the booty-shakin’ department as they danced together throughout the performance

Looking boot-i-ful: Jenny showed off her famous derriere in her revealing leotard onstage

Shining star: Jennifer displayed her tanned and toned figure in a bejeweled green leotard with a plunging neckline

Overcome: J-Lo then walked around the stadium alongside Pitbull and singer Claudia Leitte, and became visibly emotional at the outpouring of support from the crowds

However J-Lo did comment on whether or not she and Maksim are friends.

Meanwhile, it is being claimed by sources with RadarOnline that Jennifer drove Casper away through her fitness obsession.

It emerged earlier this month that the 27-year-old dancer had sent trans𝑠e𝑥ual model Sofia Vissa a revealing photo of himself where all he’s wearing is a pair of boxer shorts. The image first appeared in InTouch.

Love Don’t Cost A Thing… But it seems the experience of performing in front of thousands for the World Cup was priceless for Jennifer Lopez

Incredible scenes: The ceremony at Sao Paulo saw thousands of football fans celebrating the kick off of the World Cup

J-Wow! Jennifer looked stunning incredible and she kicks off the World Cup in Brazil performing on stage with Pitbull and singer Claudia Leitte during the 2014 World Cup opening ceremony at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo

Feeling the love: All the performers put on an energetic routine as they sang the official World Cup song in Brazil

The three amigos! Claudia, Jennifer and Pitbull put on a show of co-coordinating dance moves performing to the beat

Big hits: The song the trio performed is the lead single from the World Cup album, and follows on from Shakira’s 2010 anthem Waka Waka

Number 1 fans: Jennifer, Pitbull and Claudia finish their performance in style as the crowd went wild at the opening ceremony

And on Friday a source confirmed to MailOnline that the American Idol judge and Smart – who had been together for two-and-a-half years – had split.

Following initial reports Jennifer was said to drop out of today’s performance, a spokesperson for the star stated earlier this week: ‘Jennifer has always wanted to participate in the World Cup opening ceremonies.’

‘We have been trying to work out scheduling and logistics. Any statements to the contrary were premature. Jennifer would not want to disappoint her fans or fans of football. She will be there.’

Thrilling! Last week, Jennifer said she was ‘thrilled’ at the prospect of performing at the opening ceremony. She said: ‘This is an amazing celebration of global unity, competition and sport.’

Strong support: J-Lo was backed up by rapper Pitbull onstage, who she previously collaborated with on her smash hit 2011 single On The Floor

FIFA previously said Jennifer wouldn’t be performing because of unspecified ‘production issues.’

Last week, Jennifer said she was ‘thrilled’ at the prospect of performing at the opening ceremony.

She said: ‘This is an amazing celebration of global unity, competition and sport.’

Scenes of emotion: All three performers appeared to touched by the response from the thousands of football fans

Backstage antics: Pitbull tweeted this behind-the-scenes shot of himself posing J-Lo and Claudia