Sonia Citron’s basketball career has quickly moved from Notre Dame to the WNBA, but fans have also become interested in the person who was beside her during one of the biggest moments of her young career.
Citron’s boyfriend is Marist Liufau, a former Notre Dame football player who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft. Like Citron, Liufau made his name at Notre Dame before moving into professional sports.
The couple have kept much of their relationship away from the spotlight, but they have occasionally shared glimpses of their life together. Their relationship became especially visible during the 2025 WNBA Draft, when Liufau was there to celebrate after the Washington Mystics selected Citron with the No. 3 overall pick.
The moment was captured on camera as Liufau hugged Citron following the announcement. It quickly drew attention because the two athletes had already built a connection during their time at Notre Dame.
Their story is unusual in another way, too. Both are now trying to establish themselves in major American professional sports, with Citron pursuing her WNBA career and Liufau continuing his NFL journey with the Cowboys.
Who is Sonia Citron’s boyfriend?
Sonia Citron’s boyfriend is Marist Liufau, a professional football player who plays linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys.
Liufau is a Hawaii native and became a standout football player during his college career at Notre Dame. He eventually entered the NFL Draft and was selected by Dallas in the third round in 2024.
His professional football journey gives him plenty in common with Citron. Both athletes experienced the pressure of playing at Notre Dame and then had to make the transition from college sports to professional competition.
While Citron has become known for her work on the basketball court, Liufau has made his name through his defensive play on the football field.
The couple’s shared athletic background also appears to be an important part of their relationship. They understand the demands of training, travel, competition and trying to build a professional career.
Marist Liufau plays for the Dallas Cowboys
Liufau’s professional team is the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys selected him with the 87th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His selection came after several seasons of development at Notre Dame.
During his college career, Liufau appeared in 39 games and recorded 117 total tackles, according to the supplied details. His physical style and ability to make plays helped him establish himself as an important part of Notre Dame’s defense.
His final college season was particularly notable. Liufau was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which recognizes outstanding linebackers, and he was also recognized as Defensive Player of the Game against Navy.
Those accomplishments helped set the stage for his move to the NFL.
Now, instead of playing in college stadiums, Liufau is working to establish himself at the professional level with Dallas.
Sonia Citron and Marist Liufau both attended Notre Dame
One of the biggest connections between Citron and Liufau is their shared history at Notre Dame.
Citron played basketball for the Notre Dame women’s team, while Liufau was part of the school’s football program.
Their schedules would have been demanding in different ways, but both were living the life of high-level student-athletes. Practices, games, travel and academics left little free time, making their relationship a natural connection between two people who understood each other’s routines.
Notre Dame also provided the setting where their relationship developed.
The couple have not publicly shared every detail about how they first met, so some parts of their early relationship remain private. What is known from their social media activity is that they were together during their college years.
Their shared university experience has remained an important part of their story even after both moved on to professional sports.
When did Sonia Citron and Marist Liufau start dating?
Citron and Liufau have largely kept the details of their relationship private.
However, Citron appeared to publicly acknowledge their relationship through social media. In January of the year referenced in the supplied material, she posted a tribute marking their second anniversary with the caption “Two with you.”
The post gave fans a glimpse into how long the couple had been together while keeping the message relatively simple.
Rather than making their relationship a constant part of their public profiles, Citron and Liufau have generally allowed their athletic careers to remain at the center of attention.
That approach has made the occasional public moment between them stand out.
Their relationship has been visible through supportive posts, appearances and photographs, but neither athlete has turned their personal life into the main focus of their public image.
Marist Liufau supported Sonia Citron at the WNBA Draft
One of the biggest public moments for the couple came at the 2025 WNBA Draft.
When the Washington Mystics selected Citron with the third overall pick, Liufau was there to support her.
The emotional moment was caught on video as the NFL linebacker hugged Citron after she heard her name called.
The scene quickly attracted attention on social media. Noa Dalzell shared a video of the moment on X, describing Liufau as Citron’s boyfriend and joking that he had been drafted after her in the NFL Draft.
For Citron, the selection represented the next major step in her basketball career. For Liufau, being there meant witnessing his girlfriend reach the professional level after their years together at Notre Dame.
The moment also highlighted the unusual path the two athletes are taking. Both are now professionals, but in two completely different sports.
Sonia Citron was selected No. 3 by the Washington Mystics
Citron entered the 2025 WNBA Draft after a successful career with Notre Dame.
The Washington Mystics selected her No. 3 overall, giving her an opportunity to begin her professional basketball career in Washington.
The draft night was an important milestone for Citron, and having Liufau there added a personal element to the occasion.
The two athletes had already experienced the transition from college sports into professional careers separately. Citron’s WNBA selection meant that they were now both navigating the demands that come with playing at the highest level.
For fans watching the draft, Liufau’s presence offered a glimpse into the support system around Citron.
Their relationship has remained relatively private
Despite their growing profiles, Citron and Liufau have not made their relationship a constant subject of public discussion.
Their social media presence has offered occasional clues, but the couple have largely focused on their respective sports.
That privacy is notable because both athletes are connected to major professional leagues.
Citron is now part of the WNBA, while Liufau is a member of the Cowboys. Their careers naturally bring attention from fans, media and social media users, but they have still maintained a fairly low-key approach to their personal relationship.
The public moments that do emerge tend to be connected to major milestones.
Citron’s WNBA Draft was one such occasion, with Liufau appearing beside her as she celebrated the beginning of her professional basketball career.
Liufau’s Notre Dame football career
Before reaching the NFL, Liufau established himself as an important player at Notre Dame.
The Hawaii native brought his physical style of play to the Fighting Irish and became known for his tackling ability.
He played 39 games during his college career and finished with 117 total tackles. His final season brought additional recognition, including his status as a Butkus Award semifinalist.
His performance against Navy was another highlight, as he was named the Defensive Player of the Game.
The combination of his production and defensive reputation helped him attract attention from NFL teams.
The Cowboys ultimately selected him in the third round, giving him the chance to continue his career in one of the NFL’s most recognizable organizations.
Citron and Liufau are balancing two professional careers
Their relationship has entered a different stage now that both are professional athletes.
Citron has the demands of a WNBA career, including practices, games and travel. Liufau faces a similarly intense schedule in the NFL.
That means the couple may have to deal with the same type of challenges they faced while attending Notre Dame, only at a much larger professional level.
The difference is that they now have experience with the demands of elite sports.
Both know what it means to prepare for important games, handle pressure and make sacrifices for their careers.
Their shared understanding can be especially important as they pursue professional goals in different leagues.
A relationship built around sports and support
Citron and Liufau’s story is not simply about two athletes dating.
Both reached the professional level after spending important years at Notre Dame, and both are now trying to establish themselves in major American sports.
Liufau’s presence at the 2025 WNBA Draft showed the supportive side of their relationship. His hug with Citron after she was selected gave fans a rare look at the couple during an important personal moment.
For Citron, the draft was the beginning of a new chapter. For Liufau, it was a chance to celebrate someone who had shared part of his own journey.
The couple’s relationship has also developed alongside their athletic careers rather than separately from them.
What is next for Sonia Citron and Marist Liufau?
Citron and Liufau are now both focused on establishing themselves professionally.
Citron’s selection by the Washington Mystics gives her the opportunity to begin her WNBA career after her time at Notre Dame. Liufau is continuing his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted in 2024.
Their careers will likely keep them busy, but their shared experience as elite athletes gives them a common understanding of the lifestyle.
For now, the couple appear to be supporting one another while pursuing their individual goals.
Citron’s WNBA Draft night offered one of the clearest public glimpses of their relationship. Liufau was there when her name was called, and the hug they shared became one of the memorable personal moments surrounding her selection.
For fans searching for Sonia Citron’s boyfriend, the answer is Marist Liufau, the Cowboys linebacker and former Notre Dame football standout. Their relationship began during their college years and has continued as both athletes have moved into professional sports.
While they tend to keep their personal life away from the spotlight, their shared Notre Dame history, professional careers and occasional public moments have made them a notable sports couple.