Matildas star Mary Fowler, often described as the “lynchpin” of Australia’s women’s soccer team, recently opened up about how her romance with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary first began — and it’s even more touching than fans realized.
Contrary to public belief, their connection didn’t spark only after media speculation. Fowler revealed that they actually started seeing each other during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, long before their relationship became public. She recalled going on a date with Cleary on the very morning of Australia’s first group game against Ireland.
In interviews, she’s described those early moments as deeply genuine — there was no superficial flirtation, just real conversations. The two exchanged long messages about psychology, their dreams, and how they viewed the world. For Fowler, that mental connection formed a strong foundation. In her words, “I don’t think I could do long distance with someone that wasn’t interesting to talk to.”
Their love story remained mostly private until August 2023, when they were spotted having ice cream together in Sydney. Although Cleary initially downplayed the relationship — calling it “just ice cream” — their bond strengthened quickly. Later, they made their relationship Instagram-official, with Cleary posting a beach photo of them cuddling, captioned “That’s life” and accompanied by an ice cream emoji.
Despite busy schedules and long-distance challenges — Fowler playing in England, Cleary based in Australia — they built a relationship rooted in trust, communication, and mutual respect. What started as thoughtful conversations has grown into something deeply committed, proving that even in the high-intensity world of elite sport, real love can flourish away from the spotlight.
