On this Valentine's Day 2026, these power couples inspire us all, because in the end, the greatest teams are the ones we build together.
As the world pauses on 14 February 2026 to celebrate love's grandest gesture, we at the sports desk find ourselves reflecting on those extraordinary pairings that transcend the pitch, the court, and the track.
In an era where headlines often dwell on rivalries and records, these 10 sports power couples remind us that true victory lies in partnership, resilience, and unwavering support.
From childhood sweethearts to whirlwind romances, their stories offer a beacon of hope amid the roar of the crowd. On this Valentine's Day, let's toast to the duos who prove that love, like a perfectly timed goal, can change everything.
1. David and Victoria Beckham
David and Victoria Beckham's romance ignited in the Manchester United players' lounge in 1997, when a then-23-year-old David, fresh from England's Euro 96 heroics, spotted Victoria Adams, the fierce Posh Spice of the global phenomenon that was the Spice Girls.
Their first date at a local restaurant was a media frenzy from the start, but it blossomed into a 1999 wedding at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland, a £500,000 extravaganza attended by 300 guests, complete with thrones and a seven-tier cake.
Through the births of sons Brooklyn (1999), Romeo (2002), and Cruz (2005), and daughter Harper (2011), they've navigated David's 2003 Real Madrid move, his LA Galaxy stint, and Victoria's evolution from pop star to fashion mogul with her eponymous label. Even amid 2022's Netflix docuseries revelations of early marital strains, their 25th anniversary in 2024 saw David knighted as Sir David, with Victoria by his side, whispering of a love that has only deepened into a £1 billion empire of style and philanthropy.
2. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's fairy tale kicked off in July 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium, where Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end, tried to pass her a friendship bracelet with his number during her Eras Tour concert, only for Swift to miss it amid the chaos.
Undeterred, Kelce name-dropped the mishap on his podcast, catching Swift's ear and leading to a secret post-game rendezvous in New York. By September, she was cheering from the suite as the Chiefs triumphed over the Bears, sparking a romance that blended Swift's sold-out stadium shows with Kelce's gridiron glory.
From there, milestones piled up: we saw her jetting to Buenos Aires for his November 2023 game, and before spotting them holding hands at the 2024 Super Bowl victory parade, and, in a plot twist for the ages, Kelce's proposal in August 2025. Now engaged, they've turned doubters into believers, with Swift's 2025 album Life Of A Showgirl featuring tracks inspired by their love story.
3. LeBron James and Savannah James
LeBron and Savannah James's bond traces back to 2002. The Lakers icon attended St. Vincent-St. Mary, while Savannah attended Buchtel Community Learning Center. Savannah was a 16-year-old sophomore and LeBron was a 17-year-old junior at the time. Their first date at Outback Steakhouse was chaperoned by her mother, but by LeBron's NBA draft in 2003, they were inseparable.
Overcoming the pressures of his Cleveland Cavaliers stardom, they welcomed three children: Bronny (born October 6, 2004), Bryce (born June 14, 2007), and Zhuri (born October 22, 2014), before tying the knot in a intimate 2013 ceremony in San Diego, California.
Through LeBron's controversial 2010 Miami Heat move, dubbed "The Decision" as well as his 2020 Lakers championship, Savannah has been the quiet force, launching several business ventures, including the Women of Our Future mentorship program, and co-hosting the "Everybody's Crazy" podcast. LeBron has spoken openly about the effort required in a marriage; for instance, in a September 2025 appearance on the "360 with Speedy" podcast, he emphasized that communication and being "okay with being uncomfortable" are essential to making a relationship work.
4. Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo
Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo's love story is woven into the fabric of Rosario, Argentina, where they met as children in the early 1990s. Messi and Antonela met as children in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, through her cousin, Lucas Scaglia, who was Messi's childhood friend and teammate at Newell's Old Boys. During their early years, young Messi reportedly wrote letters to Antonela declaring that she would one day be his fiancée.
When Messi was 13, he moved to Spain to join the FC Barcelona Academy. The pair drifted apart and lost regular contact for several years, though they occasionally communicated via letters or expensive international calls. Their bond was restored in 2005 after a tragedy; Antonela lost a close friend in a car accident, and Messi immediately flew back to Argentina to support her. This moment solidified their relationship.
After dating privately for several years, Messi officially confirmed he had a girlfriend in Argentina during an interview in 2009. The couple officially wed on June 30, 2017, amid his Ballon d'Or pursuits.
They welcomed son Thiago in 2012, Mateo in 2015, and Ciro in 2018. Through Messi's heartbreaking 2022 Copa América near-miss and his triumphant 2022 World Cup lift, where Antonela's tearful embrace on the pitch went viral, they've shielded their family from the glare, relocating to Inter Miami in 2023. Now, with Messi chasing MLS records and Antonela managing her businesses, their 18-year journey is one of the favourite fairytale romances in football.
5. Russell Wilson and Ciara
Russell Wilson and Ciara’s chapter opened in March 2015 when the then-Seattle Seahawks quarterback met the R&B star at a University of Wisconsin basketball game. The NFL star asked singer to dinner that same night and later recalled being "sold" by their hours-long conversation.
Bonding over shared faith, they famously practiced celibacy until their July 2016 wedding at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, England, a private ceremony attended by roughly 100 guests including Kelly Rowland and Jennifer Hudson. Their blended family includes Ciara’s eldest son, Future Zahir, and the couple’s three children together: daughters Sienna Princess (born 2017) and Amora Princess (born 2023), and son Win Harrison (born 2020).
Professionally, Wilson moved to the New York Giants in 2025 while the couple continued their philanthropy through the Why Not You Foundation, which has raised over $21 million for education and pediatric health. To mark their ninth anniversary in July 2025, Wilson surprised Ciara with a luxurious trip to Spain, featuring yacht excursions and jet skiing, further cementing their status as a gold standard for partnership.
6. Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry
Steph and Ayesha Curry’s tale began in a Charlotte church youth group in 2003, where the two met as young teenagers (Ayesha was 14, Steph 15). While they were friends in North Carolina, they didn't start dating until 2008 after reconnecting in Los Angeles while Steph was attending the ESPY Awards and Ayesha was pursuing her acting career.
Married on July 30, 2011, at the same church in Charlotte where they first met, they have since raised four children: daughters Riley (born 2012) and Ryan (born 2015), and sons Canon (born 2018) and Caius (born 2024).
Ayesha’s Sweet July media empire and Sweet July Skin line complement Steph’s legendary career with the Golden State Warriors, while their Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation remains their primary joint philanthropic focus. Through it all, their faith-fueled pact, reaffirmed in a 2021 backyard vow renewal officiated by their daughter Riley, proves their love remains the ultimate three-pointer.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez crossed paths in January 2016 at a Madrid Gucci store, where she worked as a sales assistant and he browsed with his young son. A chance conversation about fashion led to secret dates, and by 2017, they were Instagram official.
In 2022, tragedy struck when one of their twins, Ángel, passed away during childbirth, while his twin sister, Bella Esmeralda, survived. This left the family with a total of five living children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella, while Ronaldo conquered Juventus, Manchester United, and now Al-Nassr.
Though Cristiano and Georgina often honour the memory of their sixth child, their household currently consists of these five siblings.
Georgina's Netflix series "I Am Georgina" peeled back their Saudi Arabian life of luxury jets and family hikes, culminating in a 2025 engagement ring reveal - with their dream wedding slated for after this summer's World Cup.
8. Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens matched on the dating app Raya in March 2020, just as the pandemic began. The gymnastics GOAT was prepping for the Tokyo games, while the Houston Texans safety was carving out his NFL path. Their initial bond formed quickly in Houston while the world was shut down, leading to a Valentine's Day engagement in 2022.
After a quiet legal ceremony at a Harris County courthouse in April 2023, they celebrated with a stunning destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas. Through Biles's mental health advocacy and her historic 2024 Paris gold haul, Owens has been her most vocal supporter. With matching "444" tattoos and playful social media presence, their partnership remains a masterclass in mutual support following months of relentless scrutiny.
9. Charles Leclerc and Alexandra Saint Mleux
Charles Leclerc and Alexandra Saint Mleux’s romance first caught public attention in March 2023 at Paris Fashion Week, where the Ferrari driver reconnected with the art history graduate following his split from Charlotte Sine.
Their relationship moved from quiet dates to a public debut at Wimbledon in July 2023, followed by her becoming a constant, supportive fixture in the Ferrari paddock.
The couple officially engaged in November 2025 in a romantic, candlelit proposal where their long-haired dachshund, Léo, wore a tag that read, "Dad wants to marry you!". The pair, adored by many fans, have balanced F1's intensity with a shared love for art and travel. From holidaying in Mexico to her steady presence at every Grand Prix, their bond adds a poetic touch to the world of Formula 1.
10. Donovan Mitchell and Coco Jones
Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell’s spark flew in July 2023 at Michael Rubin’s Fourth of July White Party, where the "ICU" songstress and Cleveland Cavaliers star first connected at a networking event for creatives.
After keeping their romance private for nearly two years, they confirmed their bond with a public appearance at the same party in 2024 and a shared moment at an Usher concert. Mitchell proposed on July 11, 2025, during a tropical vacation, presenting a five-carat cushion-cut diamond in a surprise orchestrated with the help of Russell Wilson and Ciara.
The couple shared a viral moment at Super Bowl LX in February 2026, where Jones delivered a powerful rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" while Mitchell supported her from the sidelines. Blending the success of Jones’s 2025 album Why Not More?, which features Mitchell’s voice, with his seventh straight All-Star selection, their partnership harmonizes Hollywood shine with NBA hustle.
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