Nathan Cleary celebrates girlfriend Mary Fowler's achievements as he showcases her history-making Barbie - and it drives fans wild

Nathan Cleary has delighted fans by giving them a glimpse at his love for girlfriend Mary Fowler. 

The NRL player and the Matildas soccer player have been going strong since last year, and Nathan proved just how smitten he is when he showed off his tribute to his athlete love in an Instagram post on Tuesday. 

Among a carousel of images of the loved-up pair, the 26-year-old shared a photo of a Barbie doll made in Mary's image sitting on his self. 

The doll sat among books while wearing a darling green and gold Matildas uniform. 

The touching image was soon inundated with praise from his many followers. 

'Love the Mary doll. It's even got the little black gloves,' wrote one person in the comment section.

'You and Mary melt me man,' added another, before a third wrote, 'Mary's doll is so cute though'.

'Your Mary Fowler figurine,' said one more, while someone else commented: 'Okay, this is super cute...' 

Earlier this year, Mary was recognised for her stellar 12 months on the pitch after being included in a new range of Barbie dolls. 

The Matildas star, 21, led her country to the World Cup semi-final last year and was a part of Australia's attempt to win gold at the Olympics in Paris.

Fowler is viewed as a star of the future for club and country, and has already landed impressive endorsement deals with the likes of sportswear giant Adidas.

In May, it was revealed that doll manufacturer Barbie have launched a design based on the striker, with Fowler proudly showing off the plastic figurine on Instagram.

'Meet my Barbie role model doll,' she posted.

'Super grateful for the opportunity to capture and share a version of myself when I feel my strongest, and most confident.

'Thanks Barbie for making a mini Mary and reminding me how important it is to be yourself.'

Fowler's doll, which features her famous black gloves, earrings and hairstyle, was unveiled alongside tennis icon Venus Williams and football legend Christine Sinclair. 

'When I saw myself as Barbie for the first time, it was crazy,' Fowler said in a statement.

'I was honestly just a bit speechless because I never would have thought that I'd have a Barbie that looks just like me.

'I think there's so many other incredible women that have been made as Barbies, and I just never would've thought that I'd be up there with them. I'm just super grateful and honoured to be part of this. 

'I really wanted to have it replicate a moment in my life when I felt really strong and confident in myself, and that moment for me was during the World Cup last year,' she said.

'All the little details were stuff that I thought of during that time, and the boots are so accurate to how they look in real life.'

Fowler is back in Australia after the Matildas' disappointing Paris Olympics campaign, where the Aussies failed to reach the knockout rounds despite a brave performance against the United States in their final group state match.

Mary and Nathan began dating towards the end of last year, with their relationship being first reported by Daily Mail Australia.