Noemie Happart, Former Miss Belgium Who Becomes Yannick Carrasco's Faithful Companion

JAKARTA - Yannick Carrasco played 59 minutes in the match between Belgium and Denmark which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Red Devils, Thursday, 17 June night. Even though he didn't score, the Atletico Madrid player played quite well.

Carrasco also helped Belgium to victory in their opening Group B Euro 2020 match on Saturday. Belgium beat Russia 3-0 thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and full-back Thomas Meunier.

The winger's splendid appearance could not be separated from the support of his wife, who always cheered him on in the stands. Noemie Happart, she is a former Miss Belgium winner. Carrasco and Happart first met at a bar in Liege, Belgium.

"Seducing a footballer was never one of my goals," Happart told Belgian magazine Story one day.

"When he told me he was a professional player, I was quite suspicious. I have a pretty stereotypical image of a footballer and I fear he has a reputation.

"But Yannick is a great kid, so I gave him a chance, he's a handsome guy but I was mostly blown away 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 to take part in Miss World and Miss Universe, finishing in the top 20 at Miss World but not making it to the main draw at Miss Universe.

We certainly still remember, in the 2016 Champions League final between Atletico and Real Madrid, Carrasco scored the equalizer in the 79th minute. He canceled out Sergio Ramos' opener.

To celebrate, Carrasco ran towards the Atletico fans and kissed his girlfriend Happart at the time.

Carrasco and Happart married in 2017 and Carrasco then joined Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang the following year. Spent two seasons there, he returned to Atletico last season.

During their stint in Dalian, Happart revealed they were trying to adapt to living in China. However, a different culture and being away from their families made them return to Spain.

"Yannick likes China but it is a very different culture and we are far from our family and friends. We will see what happens and how it unfolds but there is a possibility we will return to Europe," Happart told Belgian television channel RBTF, then.

Last year, reports circulated in Belgium that the couple had split after five years together. However, Happart's friend and fellow Miss Belgium winner Sandrine Corman confirmed to Belgian outlet Sudpresse that they are still together.

"There are rumors like this," he said. "It's annoying because in all couples there can be fights from time to time. But when you're a star like Yannick Carrasco...

"But everything is fine. They must have gone through a tough stage, but like everyone else, and then, that's how it is, they're still together. And so much better!"

Evidently, Happart was present in the stands supporting her husband in action against Denmark, even though he only played for less than an hour.