Belgium star Yannick Carrasco's stunning wife is former Miss Universe participant

By Matthew Cooper Digital Sports Reporter 15:15, 17 JUN 2021

Belgium and Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco is married to former Miss Belgium winner Noemie Happart, who he famously shared a kiss with after scoring in the 2016 Champions League final

Yannick Carrasco helped Belgium get off to a winning start in their opening Euro 2020 group game on Saturday.

The Atletico Madrid winger started the game as Belgium beat Russia 3-0, thanks to a brace from Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku and a first-half strike from Borussia Dortmund full-back Thomas Meunier.

Belgium are gearing up to face Denmark later today in their second group game and Carrasco will be cheered on by his wife, former Miss Belgium winner Noemie Happart.

Carrasco and Happart first met at a bar in Liege and she later told Belgian magazine Story: "Seducing a footballer was never one of my goals.

"When he told me he was a professional player, I was pretty suspicious. I had a fairly stereotyped image of footballers and I was afraid he had a reputation.

"But Yannick is a great boy, so I gave him a chance, he's a handsome guy but I was mostly charmed by his character and personality."

While studying psychology at the University of Liege, Happart entered the 2013 edition of the Miss Belgium pageant.

She won the pageant and qualified for both Miss World and Miss Universe, finishing in the top 20 at Miss World but not placing at Miss Universe.

(Image: Instagram/noemiehappart)

Carrasco celebrated his goal in the 2016 Champions League final with Happart, with the pair sharing a kiss (Image: Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

During the 2016 Champions League final, Carrasco's Atletico side faced Real Madrid and he scored a 79th minute equaliser, cancelling out Sergio Ramos' opening goal.

To celebrate, Carrasco ran towards the Atletico fans and shared a kiss with Happart, his then girlfriend.

The pair married in 2017 and Carrasco then joined Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang the following year, spending two seasons there before returning to Atletico.

During his stint at Dalian, Happart revealed the couple had struggled to settle in China, telling Belgian television channel RBTF: "Yannick likes China but it’s a very different culture and we are far away from our family and friends. We’ll see what happens and how it unfolds but it is possible we’ll return to Europe."

(Image: Instagram/noemiehappart)

(Image: Instagram/noemiehappart)

Last year, reports circulated in Belgium that the couple had split up after five years together.

However, Happart's friend and fellow Miss Belgium winner Sandrine Corman later confirmed to Belgian outlet Sudpresse that they were still together.

"There have been all these rumours," she said. "It's annoying because in all couples there can be arguments from time to time. But when you are a star like Yannick Carrasco...

"But all is well. They surely went through a difficult stage, but like everyone else, and then, there you are, they are still together. And so much the better!"

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/yannick-carrasco-noemie-happart-belgium-24341522