Shakira Appears to Send a Message to Spain’s Government With Rihanna Soundtrack After Major Court Victory.
Something tells us Rihanna would absolutely approve of Shakira’s latest Instagram move.
Fresh off a major legal victory against Spain’s tax authorities, the “Hips Don’t Lie” superstar seemingly made her feelings crystal clear by choosing Rihanna’s fiery 2015 anthem “B**ch Better Have My Money” as the soundtrack for her newest Instagram upload on Monday night (May 18). The post, photographed by Nicolas Gerardin, featured a series of striking fashion-forward images — but notably, no caption at all.
Fans quickly connected the dots.
“The song choice… YOU’RE NOT SERIOUS,” one fan commented, earning thousands of likes within hours. Another wrote, “She ate with this song and this fit,” while Brazilian superstar Anitta chimed in with, “Wow!!! Love this look.” Dancer and influencer Dytto also joined the conversation, joking, “Song choice. ICON,” alongside applauding emojis.
Though Shakira never directly referenced the legal case in the post, many followers viewed the soundtrack as a subtle — and very intentional — response to the Spanish government after courts ordered officials to reimburse her more than €55 million (approximately $64 million USD).
Inside Shakira’s Eight-Year Legal Battle
According to reports, the Colombian hitmaker was recently acquitted following a lengthy eight-year dispute over taxes connected to her 2011 income.
Spanish authorities had argued that Shakira should have been classified as a Spanish resident for tax purposes, claiming she spent more than 183 days in the country during that period. However, the court ultimately ruled that tax officials failed to prove those claims, leading to a major win for the Grammy-winning artist.
Following the decision, Shakira released a powerful statement addressing the emotional toll the case had taken on her life and family.
“After more than eight years of enduring brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and my family’s well-being, the National High Court has finally set the record straight,” she said.
The singer also firmly denied allegations of fraud, adding that authorities “could never prove otherwise, simply because it wasn’t true.”
She continued by criticizing how the case was handled publicly over the years, claiming that leaks and media scrutiny unfairly portrayed her as guilty long before any final ruling had been reached.
“For nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty,” she explained. “Every step of the process was leaked, distorted, and amplified, using my name and public image to send a threatening message to the rest of the taxpayers.”
The outcome marks a significant turning point for the “Whenever, Wherever” singer, who has spent years balancing intense global fame with ongoing legal pressure behind the scenes.
A Massive Career Moment Is Still Ahead
As if closing one difficult chapter wasn’t enough, Shakira is also preparing for one of the biggest performances of her career.
Last week, organizers announced that Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.
The historic performance is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where the global icons will reportedly have around 11 minutes to deliver what could become one of the most-watched musical spectacles in sports history.
Chris Martin of Coldplay is helping curate the production alongside Global Citizen, with the event also aiming to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund supporting education initiatives worldwide.
Between a courtroom triumph, a viral Instagram moment, and a history-making halftime performance on the horizon, 2026 is quickly shaping up to be one of Shakira’s biggest comeback years yet.
