England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has offered fans an unusually personal insight into his life away from the pitch, sharing a loving tribute to his model girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, on her birthday.
A Heartfelt Birthday Tribute on Social Media
The 22-year-old football star took to Instagram to celebrate Castro turning 28, posting a series of intimate photos of the couple together. In a move that delighted followers, Bellingham captioned the post with the affectionate term 'my love'.
This public declaration marks a shift for the pair, who have generally kept a low profile since their relationship became public knowledge in January of this year. The photos shared by Bellingham included a sweet image of Castro wearing a personalised Real Madrid shirt with his name and number on the back, as well as snaps of them in matching outfits on the sofa and embracing during a night out.
A Reciprocal Display of Affection
Bellingham's post was actually a return gesture of affection. Back in June, Castro herself posted a glowing tribute to the footballer for his birthday to her half a million Instagram followers. Her post declared she "loves Bellingham so much" and featured a collection of loved-up images, including a clip of them singing karaoke together.
In her tribute, Castro praised Bellingham as the 'most thoughtful, kind hearted, hard working, incredible human' she had ever met. The couple have been seen together on numerous occasions, including at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium watching Real Madrid matches, sometimes alongside Bellingham's mother, Denise.
Navigating Public Scrutiny and False Claims
The beginning of their romance was unfortunately clouded by online rumours and a hoax escort site allegation aimed at Castro. This led the American model to take a four-month break from social media, only returning earlier this month—a post Bellingham was quick to engage with.
To address the false claims, Castro posted an emotional 10-minute video on TikTok, vehemently denying allegations of infidelity and setting the record straight on her dating history. She stated she has had only three boyfriends in the past eight years and expressed frustration at the harassment and disrespect she has faced.
Despite the early challenges, the couple appear stronger than ever. Their latest social media exchanges and public sightings, including a recent game watched amicably with Bellingham's mother, suggest a happy and stable relationship as the young star continues to shine both on and off the field.
