It’s not every day you hear a professional footballer gush about long-distance love, parenting via FaceTime, and being overshadowed by his wife’s fame — but that’s exactly what Loris Karius is opening up about.
The former Liverpool goalkeeper is now balancing life between the pitch and his growing family — and it turns out, he’s taking it all in stride.
From Goalkeeper to Family Man
Loris Karius, 32, and Italian TV presenter Diletta Leotta, 33, have been making headlines since they got together in 2022.
Just a year into their romance, they welcomed their baby daughter, Aria, and tied the knot in a dreamy 2024 ceremony.
But despite the fairytale timeline, things haven’t exactly been simple.
Living Apart, But Staying Strong
Karius plays for Schalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, while Diletta continues her presenting work in Milan.
That means they’re not under the same roof — or even in the same country — most of the time.
And with Karius signing a contract extension to stay with Schalke until 2027, that long-distance lifestyle isn’t ending anytime soon.
So, how do they make it work?
“She actually encouraged me to stay at Schalke,” Karius revealed to Sport Bild.
“She loves the club and thinks royal blue is my lucky colour.”
Even though they’re physically apart more often than they’d like, Karius says they make time to connect: “It’s tough not seeing Aria for days, but that’s why FaceTime exists.
We talk and see each other as often as possible.”
Are They Ready for Baby No. 2?
The couple may be busy juggling careers and parenting from different cities, but that hasn’t stopped them from dreaming about expanding their family.
“We’d love to have a second child,” Karius said, although he made it clear that there’s no plan just yet.
“Nothing concrete for now — love hasn’t gone that far!”
And don’t expect a big surname change either.
“In Italy, it’s normal for couples to keep their last names,” he added.
Who’s the Star in the Relationship?
When the couple is out and about in Milan, there’s no doubt who grabs more attention — and Karius is the first to admit it.
“She gets recognised more than me sometimes!” he joked. “She’s already really well-known.”
The Culture Shock Moment in Sicily
One of the most humorous memories Karius recalled was his first time visiting Diletta’s family home in Catania, Sicily.
According to Diletta, it was a lot for him to take in.
Speaking on the Storie oltre le Stories podcast, she shared, “He doesn’t speak Italian, and during lunch, the noise was just too much for him.
At one point, he begged me to stop everything!”
What did Karius do next? He bolted upstairs, locked himself in the room, and dramatically flopped onto the bed.
“He was destroyed,” she laughed. “Totally overwhelmed!”
A Rocky Road, But He’s Still Standing
Karius’ career has been anything but smooth. After his infamous errors during Liverpool’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, he’s played for clubs like Besiktas, Union Berlin, Newcastle, and now Schalke — who just narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing 14th in the second division.
But through it all, he’s found support, love, and a new rhythm in his personal life.
With Diletta by his side — even from a distance — and their little daughter bringing joy, Karius seems to have found his balance.
What’s Next for the Karius-Leotta Crew?
While there’s no move planned to reunite under one roof just yet, the couple seems to be taking things one step at a time — prioritizing love, family, and their careers in a way that works for them.
And who knows? Maybe baby number two isn’t too far down the line.