Celebrated Dutch footballer Lieke Martens and her husband Benjamin van Leer recently welcomed their first child, announcing the joyous occasion on Instagram. The couple, who married during the summer of 2023, informed fans of their son's arrival on February 18, 2025, with excitement and gratitude.
Martens, known for her accomplished career as a professional football player, shared the heartwarming news writing, "Welcome to the world, we zijn zo dankbaar en trots! 💙🧸" ('Welcome to the world, we are so thankful and proud!'). Along with the announcement, the couple posted a tender photo of themselves cradling their newborn son, who has been named Lowen Erbe van Leer.
Instantly drawing attention and affection, their post received numerous congratulatory messages from friends and fans alike. Among the warm wishes, Mikky Kiemeney wrote, "Zo lief 🥰 Gefeliciteerd ❤️" ('So sweet, congratulations ❤️'), reinforcing the supportive community surrounding the couple. Nicolette van Dam echoed this excitement, saying, "Ach wat lief Gefeliciteerd" ('Oh how sweet, congratulations'). Many others chimed in with messages like, "Te cute geniet ervan met ze 3tjes💙😍" ('So cute, enjoy it with the three of you').
Lieke Martens has had a remarkable career, having been part of the Netherlands national team and earning fame for her talents on the pitch. She announced her retirement from international football last year but continues to play competitively at Paris Saint-Germain, where she is recognized for her skill and contributions to the team.
The couple's relationship began back in 2018 and blossomed over time—facilitated initially by social media. Martens once humorously noted, "Because the chance, partly due to the fact I live abroad, was very small I would actually meet Benjamin in real life, it could only happen through social media. By the way, I'm not talking about Tinder here."
The couple got engaged romantically with Benjamin's proposal set against a picturesque backdrop, affording them the kind of heartfelt moment many couples dream of. Following their marriage, the news of the pregnancy brought even more joy to their lives as they prepared to become parents.
Friends from the football and entertainment sphere shared their excitement and offered heartfelt congratulations, which helped celebratory sentiments flood the couple's social media with personal messages.
The arrival of Lowen is expected to deepen the couple's bond and usher them both newly enriched experiences as they embrace parenthood. Now equipped with loving support from their community and the innate joy of their new family life, Martens and van Leer step confidently together, eager to navigate this beautiful new chapter.
With the world watching and wishing them well, Lieke Martens and Benjamin van Leer have not only completed their happy family, but also reaffirmed their commitment to each other as they look forward to the adventures of parenting.