🤫 Romance Blossomed During the 2023 World Cup
Matildas star Mary Fowler has finally lifted the lid on the true timeline of her high-profile romance with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary, revealing their relationship began much earlier than the public realized. While the general media only caught onto the celebrity coupling in September 2023, weeks after the Women’s World Cup concluded, Fowler admitted they were actually seeing each other as early as July of that year, during the height of the tournament.
A World Cup Morning Date
In a wide-ranging interview with Stellar magazine, Fowler confirmed just how deep their connection was during Australia’s historic World Cup run. The Matildas sensation even went on a date with Cleary on the very morning of Australia’s first game of the tournament against Ireland.
“I have so many positive feelings about the tournament itself,” she shared. “But then, outside of it, it was such an exciting time as well. We met up quite a few times during [the World Cup], and I don’t think we really thought about it ever getting out.”
Fowler expressed gratitude that their secret remained safe until later, acknowledging the media frenzy it would have created. If the public had known about the relationship during the tournament, it would have undoubtedly become a complete sideshow, potentially distracting from the Matildas’ history-making run to the semi-finals.
Navigating the Intense Spotlight
The public confirmation of the relationship, coupled with the Matildas’ explosive popularity post-World Cup, created an intense spotlight that Fowler admitted was initially difficult to manage.
“Nathan has a bit more experience with being in the media,” she explained. “I had never really had that.”
Fowler confessed that adapting to her newfound fame from the World Cup was already a huge adjustment. Adding the constant media talk and speculation about their romantic relationship became overwhelming. “The introvert in me was screaming,” she admitted. However, Cleary’s experience helped her cope. “But it was really nice to be able to speak about that with him, and accept that that’s just how it is.”
The revelation adds a fascinating layer to the Matildas’ World Cup campaign, proving that for Mary Fowler, those weeks were a period of intense professional growth matched by a deeply personal and secretive blossoming romance.