Mario Balotelli Proposes to Girlfriend Fanny Neguesha Before World Cup Game—See Her Ring!

Soccer star and Team Italy are expected to face his former teammates on field in match Saturday

By Rebecca Macatee Jun 10, 2014 12:58 PMTags

Mario Balotelli, a striker for Team Italy, is expected to face off with England Saturday in a 2014 FIFA World Cup Match.

But before the 23-year-old athlete plays played his rivals on the field, he wanted to get off the field in his personal life. So, on Monday, the footballer proposed to girlfriend Fanny Neguesha with a sparkling diamond ring.

He Instagrammed a beach scene (showing where he popped the question) and a close-up of his fiancée's impressive sparkler. "She said yes," he wrote. "The most important yes in my life. That was the place of my question! I Love you and happy birthday too ! Je t'aime my WIFE ❤"

The bride-to-be Instagrammed the same photo, writing, "Tonight, I said the most important yes of my Life. That was the best present for my birthday! I love you first and unique husband."

Per the Daily Mail, Mario and his Belgian model love had experienced some recent relationship troubles, but that ring (and Fanny's "yes") seems to indicate things are back to normal in Paradise.

And who knows? Maybe Mario's engagement will give him a little extra confidence in the game against his former Manchester City teammates! Win or lose, though, he's got a beautiful a beautiful better half cheering him on every step of the way.