Truth about ‘repulsive’ Jude Bellingham: He carefully manages his multi-million-pound brand. But now KATIE HIND reveals ‘tacky’ trip, cruel rumours about new love and why football bosses are worried it’s ‘all going wrong’

From my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, it’s always wise to ponder over who we choose to associate with, even more so when you’re a globally recognized figure like Jude Bellingham. Associating with certain individuals can sometimes lead to unwanted attention or misunderstandings, and it’s crucial to maintain a clean public image.

At the exclusive VIP cabana of O Beach club in Ibiza, a photograph emerged showing Real Madrid’s midfielder sharing a hearty laugh with its proprietor, the well-known figure Wayne Lineker – the youthful sibling of former Match Of The Day presenter Gary.

Jude, along with his sibling Jobe and their companions, chuckled heartily when they playfully ‘bumped fists’ with the 63-year-old, who is renowned for his humorous social media content like his witty ad promoting a ‘younger partner’ and flirtations with reality TV stars younger than himself, such as Ekin-Su Culculoglu from Love Island.

It’s not surprising then, that when Wayne shared the photo online last month, conversations about it quickly sparked among the elite circles of the football community via their WhatsApp chats.

The primary subject they were discussing: ‘What in the world would Jude’s parents find surprising about this?’ This question makes sense given that Mark and Denise Bellingham have spent most of their adult years guiding the careers of their gifted sons, Jude, 21, and Jobe, 19. They have not only been instrumental in their success on the field but also off it as well.

Although some people within the group find the parents challenging at times, it’s undeniable that their diligence has yielded substantial results.

As a lifestyle expert, I must say that Jude’s journey in football has been nothing short of extraordinary. From being a rising star in England to an icon of the game, he’s truly made a name for himself. Fast forward to June 2023, he sealed a whopping £86million deal with Real Madrid, following stints at Borussia Dortmund and his cherished Birmingham City. It’s rumored that his weekly paycheck at the Spanish club is an astonishing £340,000, and his net worth is estimated to be a staggering £40million. Incredible, isn’t it?

Apart from that, he also boasts endorsement agreements that would make David Beckham green with envy. More recently, he collaborated with the Dubai tourism board, posting a video showcasing his wish list of activities in the Emirate to his 40 million Instagram fans. This included attending an opera performance and exploring the Museum of the Future.

In an unexpected turn of events, my shared post with Wayne turned out to be a misstep. A football executive commented, “To see me alongside Gary Lineker’s brother on the same platform was an unforeseen scenario.” I’ve always been perceived as operating at a higher level, but this instance has shown otherwise.

‘Jude is a meticulously crafted brand, perhaps even more so than David Beckham, in certain aspects. There were rumors suggesting he could surpass the fame of The Beatles. Yet, surprisingly, he was spotted at a somewhat tacky nightclub in Ibiza, where one uses orange plastic cups to drink and engages in casual conversations with Wayne Lineker.’

I can equally confirm that O Beach club, known for its distinctive circular daybed, has a gloomy atmosphere. Several years ago, during my visit, I found myself surrounded by subpar prosecco and the spectacle of women in minimal clothing flocking to footballers who were not as well-known as Jude.

As I ponder over Jude’s unique persona, it strikes me that perhaps there isn’t such a vast chasm between him and your typical 21-year-old footballer. And let me tell you, this difference may not be as pronounced as his parents might imagine.

It’s been suggested that he seems to relish the mix of social events and female companionship, which is popular among many of his friends. However, according to my information, this behavior doesn’t align with the typical image of Brand Bellingham.

On Tuesday night, when England lost 3-1 to Senegal at the City Ground of Nottingham Forest, his actions were not exemplary either.

Immediately following the annulment of what seemed to be a late goal, he became agitated and even approached the fourth official, kicking a water cooler nearby. His temperament, which can be quite volatile at times, surfaced during last year’s Euros when he was captured on camera verbally abusing his England teammates during their match against Slovenia. In footage broadcast across Europe, it was reported that he shouted the profanity “fing pass!” twice.

When asked about his young player, Jude, and if England might benefit without him, Thomas Tuchel, in a less tactful manner, stated that Jude’s on-field behavior could be found “off-putting”.

In a highly noteworthy conversation that might provoke worry among Jude’s devoted parents, the ex-manager of Chelsea expressed: ‘He possesses a sharpness that we appreciate and is essential if we aim for significant accomplishments.’

Instead of pointing the edge toward your opponents, focus on guiding it towards our objective, while ensuring it doesn’t unsettle your teammates.

‘He possesses a strong passion. I’d prefer not to dampen this enthusiasm, yet it’s important to acknowledge that his fervor may carry certain traits that could potentially make someone feel uneasy.’

Tuchel commented: ‘When he grins, he charms everyone. However, at times you notice the anger and the passion, which can occasionally appear somewhat off-putting.’

In essence, we’re genuinely delighted to have him around. He’s an exceptional child, sweet-natured, smart, and incredibly open. So far, he has been a joy to handle due to his intelligence and ease of management.

Bellingham has yet to respond to Tuchel’s brutal comments.

However, this outburst has given his critics a louder voice, potentially harming his reputation or image.

One football executive shared with me: ‘Things seemed promising for Jude, but when the England manager expresses such intense dislike using a word like “repulsive,” it suggests a potential turning point in his football story that could bring challenges.’ If true, this moment would add complexity to his football tale.

As a native of Stourbridge, nestled on the outskirts of vibrant Birmingham, I share a similar upbringing with my brothers Jude and Jobe. My father, Mark, was not just a dedicated sergeant in the West Midlands Police, but also an accomplished non-League football goal scorer. Meanwhile, our mother Denise made her mark in Human Resources.

Growing up, Jude used to play for Stourbridge Juniors, a team founded by his dad, later moving on to the under-8 squad of Birmingham City.

He went to The Priory School, which costs around £25,000 a year, located in Edgbaston, and earned his BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Sport from Loughborough College in the year 2021.

After Jude became a part of the England team, Jobe soon started embarking on the same career path as his older sibling.

Following his debut with Birmingham, he transitioned to Sunderland in the year 2023. Recently, he secured a deal with Borussia Dortmund, Jude’s ex-team, on a five-year contract worth £27 million upfront and an additional £4.2 million based on performance-related factors.

The Bellingham clan is well-known for their strong bond. Denise relocated to Spain together with Jude, as he took up a role in Madrid to handle his business matters. It’s rumored that they reside in a shared apartment in the upscale La Finca neighborhood of Madrid’s capital city.

It’s asserted that Denise, aged 56, not only prepares meals for her son, takes care of his bedding, chauffeurs him to practice sessions, and assists in getting him dressed – she does all this. On the other hand, Mark, at 49 years old, took care of Jobe while his younger son played for Sunderland, but it’s anticipated that he will accompany his son to Germany.

Previously, Jude mentioned the strong connection he shares with his mother, expressing it as follows: ‘The part my mom is taking on is incredibly significant.’

‘It is probably the biggest role of anyone, more than my coaches and managers, to be honest.’

It’s reasonable that Denise could be eager to closely monitor her son, as one sports analyst put it, he’s like a ‘gold mine waiting to be tapped’.

Besides earning through football, Jude also follows in the paths of renowned sports legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by securing an agreement with the high-end French fashion brand, Louis Vuitton.

2023 saw him graced with a coveted seat in the front row at the fashion brand’s Paris Fashion Week event, sandwiched between his England soccer compatriot Marcus Rashford and renowned American basketball player Jaylen Brown.

Louis Vuitton publicly recognized Bellingham as a ‘House Friend’ – signifying his significant role within their brand – yet neither party has revealed the financial details of the agreement. Notably, Jude appeared in a Gucci advertisement last year and was announced as the spokesperson for Kim Kardashian’s underwear line SKIMS. Beyond the realm of high-end fashion, he also maintains partnerships with McDonald’s, Lucozade, and Adidas.

It’s surprising how he manages to squeeze in time for a girlfriend, yet he does. Last weekend, he officially confirmed his relationship with Ashlyn Castro, a 27-year-old American influencer that he met during his vacation in Los Angeles last July following the Euros.

Last week at the England versus Andorra game, Ashlyn was standing next to Denise, grinning broadly as she rooted for him.

Following an agreement her boyfriend had with the sports company, Ashlyn donned a red Adidas dress featuring white stripes and teamed it with a denim jacket.

Or, more casually:
Ashlyn wore a red dress with white stripes from Adidas as part of her boyfriend’s deal with the sports brand, topping it off with a denim jacket.

In February, she was initially seen watching Jude perform, with Denise by his side yet again, as he took the field for Real Madrid.

Following this, she encountered a barrage of cruel online harassment, with a significant portion coming from the self-proclaimed ‘Jude Bellingham Girls’ on social media platforms.

It’s been alleged that Ashlyn has been mistreated due to her being six years older than a certain footballer, with some going as far as claiming she’s 35 years old – a claim she firmly refutes.

Apart from her work, she’s faced criticism for past speculated romantic links, such as with actor Michael B. Jordan and basketball player Terance Mann.

One person commented, ‘She’s more interested in wealth, not genuine affection.’ This is likely the reason many of her partner’s fans dislike her. Her main ambition seems to be becoming the wife or companion (WAG) of a famous athlete or celebrity, regardless of whom it might be.

‘She don’t want Jude, she wants the bag [money],’ said another.

This month, Ashlyn decided to defend herself due to the escalating mistreatment. In a post on Instagram, she expressed: ‘I used to believe discussing untruths was futile, but this situation has spiraled out of control.’

It’s become excessive when individuals fabricate information about my age (which is actually 27) and weave fictional tales involving me, connecting me with individuals who are unknown to me or with whom I haven’t had any romantic relationships.

After leaving Instagram for some time, she came back last Saturday, just before supporting Jude – a move that could be seen as a show of solidarity. Her comeback post featured her in a green halter neck top and white skirt, accompanied by the caption: ‘It’s been a while.’ This action signified her determination to stay by her man’s side.

It’s unclear what thoughts Jude Bellingham’s mother, who is both bright and explosive, has about this situation, or her controversial vacation in Ibiza.

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2025-06-13 03:53