EXCLUSIVE: Matildas superstar Mary Fowler and NRL player Nathan Cleary are all smiles as they enjoy an intimate lunch date together
Matildas star Mary Fowler sparked rumors that she is in a relationship with an NRL player Nathan Cleary after they were spotted enjoying an ice cream cone earlier this week.
Now a photo has surfaced of the couple once again enjoying each other’s company, this time in a restaurant.
Mary, 20, appears to be smiling in the image as she sits across from Cleary, wearing a stylish white trench coat.
Nathan, 25, also looks at ease in the image happily talking to Fowler, resting his left hand against his face.
Earlier this week, the pair were spotted enjoying an ice cream cone and a walk after attending a promotional event for their shared sponsor Adidas, the Hello sports podcast.
Matildas star Mary Fowler sparked rumors that she is in a relationship with NRL player Nathan Cleary after they were spotted enjoying an ice cream cone earlier this week. And on Wednesday evening, a photo surfaced on which the couple is again enjoying each other’s company in a restaurant. Pictured
Earlier this week, the pair were recently spotted enjoying an ice cream cone and a walk after attending a promotional event for their shared sponsor Adidas, the Hello Sport Podcast.
While sports fans are familiar with the career of Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan, Mary stepped into the limelight following Matildas’ incredible efforts during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Mary and Nathan are currently following each other on Instagram, but haven’t shared any photos of themselves yet.
The sweet ice cream date of the twosome was discussed on Tuesday during the Hello Sport podcast.
‘If you’re having an ice cream cone with someone, that means something. You might as well hold hands,” host Eddy Simpson said.
“Unless they’re doing an ice cream commercial, they’re essentially dating.”
A source has since told the Daily Telegraph that the pair are just friends.
It comes a year after Nathan’s shocked divorce from his model ex-girlfriend Tèah Foot after a whirlwind casual relationship.
Insiders confirmed the split last year after fans noticed they no longer followed each other on Instagram.
“Let’s say they’re taking a break. They were on and off for a while, so who knows what will happen,” a source told the publication.
They continued, “Tèah really likes him, but it hasn’t gotten serious yet and they’re not together right now.”
Mary and Nathan are currently following each other on Instagram
It comes a year after the shock of Nathan (left) splitting from his model ex-girlfriend Tèah Foot (right) after a whirlwind off and on relationship
Insiders confirmed the split last year after fans noticed they no longer followed each other on Instagram
After Tèah unfollowed Nathan online, the NRL star posted a series of photos to Instagram with the caption: ‘Life goes on’.
The couple’s divorce came just weeks after the pair were spotted enjoying an intimate dinner at Spice Thai restaurant in Sydney’s Coogee.
The couple had been in an off-and-on relationship for a while, reports allege.
She is also the sister of former Sydney Swans player Zac Foot.
Fowler was dubbed football’s ‘next big thing’ by Sam Kerr last year and veteran coach Alen Stajcic, who gave the striker her national debut at the age of 15, labeled her the ‘most talented female player’ he had ever seen.
Most recently, she modeled for Calvin Klein alongside fellow superstars like Alex Morgan; and led Adidas’ World Cup campaign featuring Leo Messi, David Beckham and actor Jenna Ortega in an effort to inspire women and young girls to play the game.
Fowler – who now plays for English giants Manchester City – signed for top French club Montpellier in January 2020 aged 17, making her debut a month later before Covid ended the season.
It meant that, like many Aussies around the world, throughout the pandemic she couldn’t see her family, who lived over 15,000 miles away.
She was crucial for the Matildas in the World Cup, especially when Kerr was out with an injured calf muscle, and her pass to give Caitlin Foord the lead against Denmark was one of the finest shots of the tournament.
Cleary led the Penrith Panthers to premierships in 2021 (when he topped the grand final) and 2022.
Named the NRL’s Halfback of the Year in 2020 and 2021, he is regarded by many pundits as the best player in the game as he surpasses the on-field deeds of his ex-football player and current Panthers coach Ivan.
After Tèah unfollowed Nathan online, the NRL star posted a series of photos to Instagram with the caption: ‘Life goes on’
Tèah is the sister of former Sydney Swans player Zac Foot (right)