Soccer Player Proposes Before World Cup Game!

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Match doesn't start until Thursday but one soccer player already has a victory to celebrate: His engagement!

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, proposed to on-again, off-again girlfriend Fanny Neguesha on her birthday yesterday with a gorgeous round-cut ring.

mario ballotelli engaged
Photo Credit: Fanny Neguesha's official Instagram account

He commemorated the momentous occasion on Instagram by posting a photo of her sparkler and the Rio de Janeiro beach where he popped the question. "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 ❤"

mario balotelli engaged

The Belgian model also took to the social media app to express her happiness, posting that "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."

Balotelli arrived in Brazil on June 5th for training. Italy will face England on Saturday in its first game of the tournament, so we'll have to wait until then to see if he is a winner on the playing field as well. The forward has a daughter, Pia, from a previous relationship with Raffaella Fico.

Congratulations to the happy couple! 

—Stefania Sainato