With the FIFA World Cup being played only once every four years, one can only imagine the pressure soccer’s greatest superstars are under to perform at their peak level for their respective nations. While Brazil is obviously under the most pressure to succeed this year (being the host country and whatnot), there are certain countries which are expected to win the cup every year. Italy, led by soccer stud Mario Balotelli, is one such country.

Balotelli, a 24-year-old striker for the Italian national team, perhaps felt more pressure than most coming into the World Cup due to his high potential and athletic prowess. Therefore, Balotelli most likely made the right move in proposing to his girlfriend, Fanny Neguesha, days before the kickoff of the 2014 World Cup.

She said yes.. The most important yes in my life. That was the place of my question! I Love you and… http://t.co/0GarxJm43y

— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) June 10, 2014

Unlike most teams, Italy’s coach, Cesare Prandelli, has decided to open Italy’s training camp in Brazil to the girlfriends and wives of the players, allowing Balotelli and Neguesha much time together before Balotelli’s schedule becomes quite hectic.

One should not let the happy nature of the Tweets and Instagram posts fool oneself, however. Balotelli and Neguesha’s relationship has been rocky, to say the least.

In May of this year, Neguesha changed her relationship status on her Instagram account to single, making many think that she had finally decided to part ways with Balotelli. Shortly after Neguesha’s relationship status was made known, a bookie in Italy started taking bets as to who would be Balotelli’s next girlfriend.

Their split supposedly came after Balotelli and his brother were rumored to have had a foursome with an Italian Playboy model.

Obviously, the two have rectified their differences, however, and are eager to start their new lives together.

The couple does not have long to celebrate, though, and Balotelli’s teammates were the first to remind him of his priorities: “He must have gone through a lot of emotions last night. But now we all need to focus on the World Cup,” stated teammate Claudio Marchisio.

Balotelli’s Italian squad faces England Saturday. The other two teams in their group are Costa Rica and Uruguay.

Image via Instagram