Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has come under heavy criticism on social media following his performance alongside Colombian singer Shakira during the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show.
The pair performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai,” at the historic halftime spectacle, which featured several international music stars. While many fans praised the global exposure for African music, others questioned Burna Boy’s stage presence and the overall performance, sparking heated debates across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and other social media platforms.
Critics described the performance as underwhelming, with some claiming it lacked the energy expected from an artist of Burna Boy’s stature. Others defended the Grammy-winning singer, arguing that the criticism was unfair and overshadowed the significance of his appearance on one of football’s biggest stages.
The halftime show itself also attracted criticism from football fans, many of whom opposed FIFA’s decision to introduce a Super Bowl-style entertainment segment and extend the traditional halftime interval to accommodate the performances.
lowDespite the online backlash, Burna Boy’s performance marked another milestone in his international career, as he shared the global stage with Shakira before millions of viewers during the FIFA World Cup final.
