Piero Hincapié’s Girlfriend Aura de la Cruz Confirms Split Days After Ecuador’s World Cup Defeat to Ivory Coast

Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié is navigating a turbulent period both on and off the pitch after his partner, Spanish influencer Aura de la Cruz, publicly confirmed the end of their relationship on June 18, 2026.

De la Cruz, who has more than 33,000 followers on Instagram, addressed the split directly in an emotional statement posted to her Instagram stories. “My relationship has come to an end,” she wrote in a post that has since been deleted. “It’s been a very difficult decision, but sometimes you have to accept that things don’t work out the way you expected… All I ask is that you stop associating me with him and sending me hate reviews or messages.”

The 24-year-old Ecuadorian centre-back had kept the relationship largely out of the public eye prior to the announcement. The confirmation arrived just days after Ecuador’s disappointing opening defeat to Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a result that placed immediate pressure on Hincapié and his international teammates as they look to recover in the group stage.

According to reports, eagle-eyed fans noted that Hincapié unfollowed de la Cruz on social media shortly after her statement was published. The timing of the split came as a surprise to many observers, given that de la Cruz had reportedly been present in Budapest to support the defender during Arsenal‘s Champions League final appearance earlier in the season.

The breakup adds a personal dimension to what has already been an eventful few weeks for the Ecuadorian international. After joining Arsenal, Hincapié was part of the squad that claimed the Premier League title in his debut season with the club — a significant achievement for a defender who had previously established himself at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso. His move to north London represented one of the more high-profile defensive transfers ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Hincapié’s profile was further elevated earlier in June when a viral wardrobe malfunction during international duty drew widespread media attention and brought additional scrutiny to his personal life at an already demanding moment in his career.

Ecuador’s loss to Ivory Coast in their World Cup group opener leaves the South American nation in a difficult position as the tournament progresses. Hincapié, who has been a consistent starter for Ecuador and one of the team’s most reliable defensive figures, will be expected to play a key role in any potential recovery. Ecuador’s remaining group fixtures will be critical in determining whether they can advance beyond the opening round.

At club level, Hincapié’s debut season with Arsenal demonstrated his quality at the highest level of club football. His form in the Premier League and European competition helped cement his reputation as one of the more technically capable left-sided central defenders in European football, comfortable in possession and disciplined defensively.

De la Cruz’s request for privacy and an end to online harassment directed at her following the split underscores the increasing scrutiny that partners of high-profile footballers face, particularly during major international tournaments when attention on players and those around them intensifies significantly.