FIRST-DATE NERVES TAKE CENTER STAGE: Mary Fowler admits she was far more anxious meeting NRL superstar Nathan Cleary for the very first time than stepping onto the World Cup stage, revealing a candid, heart-on-sleeve moment fans never saw coming.
More nerves on date night than World Cup pitch — Mary Fowler opens up
In a candid interview, Australian soccer star Mary Fowler revealed that she was more nervous going on her first date with NRL star Nathan Cleary than she had ever been while representing her country at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Fowler, a standout forward for the national side and club competitor for Manchester City, said the anticipation of meeting Cleary — whom she first connected with at an event — sent her anxiety soaring even more than the pressure of a World Cup match. The remark gives fans a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the personal lives of elite athletes, and a reminder that even internationally revered sportspeople wrestle with relatable first-date jitters.
A love story rooted in sport
Fowler and Cleary’s story began at a shared sporting-industry event in Sydney — a connection confirmed around the time of the 2023 World Cup. According to her, their first “real” date happened on the morning of Australia’s opening fixture in that tournament.
In her own words, she didn’t expect their relationship to become public, yet once it did, she and Cleary embraced the attention — handling it with “a bit of grace and a lot of awkwardness,” she joked.
Pressure, spotlight and private lives
The anecdote reflects a larger reality for Fowler (and other top-level athletes): the tension between public achievement and private vulnerability. While many see athletes as fearless performers, Fowler’s comment underscores how personal milestones — such as a first date — can trigger unexpected nerves.
It also offers a contrast to her career highlights: international tournaments, high-stakes matches, and club commitments. In that light, the date becomes a potent symbol — not of competition or performance, but of human intimacy and trust.
What this means for fans and sport culture
Fowler’s admission resonates beyond celebrity gossip. It humanizes high-profile athletes, bridging the gap between their public personas and private selves. For fans — especially those who’ve ever felt the anxiety of early romantic jitters — her honesty offers a reminder: pressure isn’t just about stadiums and spotlights, but the everyday moments that many of us quietly navigate.
And for the broader conversation around athletes’ lives off the field, stories like this challenge the idea that sporting icons have it all figured out. They, too, grapple with nerves, vulnerability — and the same uncertainties as everyone else.