Take That, Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift: Patriots Ex Julian Edelman Dating to International Pop Star

A British tabloid has linked New England Patriots postseason hero Julian Edelman to Shakira, the "Queen of Latin Music."

Sure, the Kansas City Chiefs have another Super Bowl trophy and Travis Kelce has girlfriend Taylor Swift. But in the past the New England Patriots have six championships and a former player has a pretty famous new love interest himself.

Well known for some of the biggest gains in Patriots history, it's perhaps only right that Julian Edelman found someone equally renowned for using their hips for memorial occasions. 

A report from British tabloid The Sun has romantically linked Edelman to Colombian pop star Shakira, often referred to as the "Queen of Latin Music." The report from The Sun's Jessica Baker credits the celebration of the singer's 47th birthday as the source of the potential relationship.

"Edelman, 37, and the Hips Don't Lie singer stood side by side with their arms around each other as they smiled at the camera in the black and white shot," Baker writes. "Fans of both Shakira and Edelman are now curious to know whether the image might point to the pair being romantically involved."

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Edelman retired in 2020 after spending the entirety of a 12-year football career in Foxborough, making a name for himself as one of the most prolific catchers in postseason history. The Kent State alum notably earned MVP honors at the end of Super Bowl LIII, picking up 141 yards on 10 receptions in the 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

During his football career, Edelman was previously linked to Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima and has one child, a seven-year-old daughter named Lily, with Swedish model Ella Rose. 

Shakira (full name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) has been on the market since ending an 11-year relationship with Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué. Per Baker's report, Edelman may have some stiff competition in the effort to win the heart of the singer/philanthropist.

"Hollywood icon Tom Cruise, 61, was also said to have been gunning for Shakira's heart, and even sent her flowers after flirting with her at the Grand Prix," Baker writes. "But (he) was reportedly shot down by the pop icon, which was "a huge dent to Tom's ego", according to Radar Online's source."

Edelman: “This Will Always Be My Home” and More Thoughts on Patriots

If anyone has felt the need ... the need for speed ... it's Edelman, who currently ranks second and fourth in Patriots franchise history in receptions (620) and yardage (6,822) respectively.

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