Sonia Citron has taken the women’s basketball world by storm, going from a star player at Notre Dame to a top pick in the WNBA. While fans love watching her score points and make big plays on the court, many people are also curious about her life away from the game.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Sonia is currently dating professional football player Marist Liufau, and their relationship has quickly become a fan favorite across the sports world. Here is everything you need to know about her boyfriend, how they first connected, and how they cheer for each other as pro athletes.
Who is Sonia Citron’s boyfriend, Marist Liufau?
Sonia Citron’s boyfriend is Marist Lealofi Liufau. He was born on February 9, 2001, and grew up in Kalihi, Hawaii, where he attended Punahou School in Honolulu. Marist comes from a very athletic family and is actually the cousin of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. Today, Marist is a professional football player who plays as a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.
Before making it to the pros, Marist spent his college years as a star linebacker for the University of Notre Dame. He played five seasons for the Fighting Irish, overcoming an ankle injury along the way to become one of the top defensive leaders on the team. During his college career, he racked up 118 total tackles and was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. His strong play in college led to him being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 87th overall pick. Standing 6-foot-2 and wearing number 35, he has quickly earned a regular spot in the Cowboys’ defensive rotation.
How did Sonia Citron and Marist Liufau meet?
Sonia Citron and Marist Liufau first met while they were both attending the University of Notre Dame. Since both of them were high-level student-athletes balancing tough schedules, they spent a lot of time around the athletic facilities on campus. Sonia was busy turning into a standout guard for the women’s basketball team, while Marist was making big tackles for the football team.
Their story started out as a simple friendship on campus. Over time, as they spent more time together and supported each other through their respective sports seasons, their friendship eventually turned into a romantic relationship in early 2022. They chose to keep most of their early dating life private, but they made things official to the public when Sonia posted a sweet anniversary message on social media in January 2024 with the caption “Two with you”.
How have Sonia Citron and Marist Liufau supported each other’s careers?
Sonia and Marist have become one of the most supportive couples in professional sports. One of their most famous public moments happened at the 2025 WNBA Draft in New York City. Marist flew in to sit right by Sonia’s side as she was selected as the number three overall pick by the Washington Mystics. During a live TV interview, reporter Holly Rowe jokingly pointed out that Sonia got drafted much higher in the WNBA than Marist did in the NFL draft. Marist laughed, cheered, and gave Sonia a huge hug, showing how proud he was of her big moment.
Off the stage, both athletes make sure to show up for each other’s games whenever they get a break in their schedules. Sonia has been spotted sitting in the stands at AT&T Stadium wearing Marist’s number 35 Dallas Cowboys jersey and a cowboy hat to root for him on game day. Likewise, Marist frequently travels to catch her basketball games and attended the WNBA All-Star festivities to cheer her on from the front row.
The couple also shows plenty of love on social media. Marist frequently leaves supportive comments under Sonia’s posts, calling her a queen, leaving goat emojis, and telling his followers how much she inspires him to be a better athlete every single day. Sonia constantly echoes that sentiment, sharing that she could not accomplish everything she has without his steady support. Balancing life in the WNBA and the NFL can be demanding, but these two college sweethearts continue to make their relationship work while thriving at the highest level.