Shakira feels her soccer beau is like a soldier

Shakira has likened her relationship with her soccer star beau to being "married to a soldier".

The Colombian performer, who is in a long-term relationship with Spanish football player Gerard Pique, has opened up about the challenges of managing both of their busy careers.

The Hips Don't Lie singer told U.K.'s Hello! magazine that she finds it frustrating when she has to spend time apart from the 29-year-old Barcelona-based star.

"It's like being married to a soldier, except that he doesn't die in battle," she sighed. "Gerard is anchored to Barcelona and can't travel – they get a few days off a month, but otherwise he has to be there for his team every day pretty much, training and playing matches."

The 39-year-old singer, who shares sons Milan, three, and Sasha, 13 months, with Gerard, also reveals their demanding schedules mean that the couple has to make compromises.

"This has been a learning curve for me, because I like to travel a lot and I'm like, 'What do you mean, you can't go? Let's go!'" she laughed.

However, the blonde beauty is fine with her sons playing sports as she thinks it will teach them good values.

"I have been playing solo for all of my life and it's very different to live with a person who has to think about his team and be mindful of them as well as of himself," she explained. "That's why I want my kids to learn all about sports even if they don't end up doing it professionally – the way it shapes the personality of children is just fantastic."

The Grammy-winner also regards Gerard as being a "wonderful father" and role model for her sons.

"Since the kids were born, a tender side of him has come out. He is the one who changes the diapers and he is there for them as he is there for me," she added.