How Jude Bellingham's 'fears' scuppered Real Madrid star's potential relationship with Spanish popstar Aitana - revealed

There had been rumours to suggest that England international Bellingham was growing close to Aitana – who shot to fame when finishing as runner-up in the reality TV show Operacion Triunfo in 2017. She was named named Best Spanish Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2021.

Bellingham and Aitana have been following one another on Instagram, exchanging plenty of likes, while the 25-year-old songstress has been spotted taking in games at Santiago Bernabeu – fuelling the speculation of a budding romance.

Marca is, however, reporting that a potential coupling never got off the ground, despite plenty of “talking and flirting”. It is claimed that Aitana was eager to meet up with Bellingham, with a dinner date invitation extended.

It is claimed that Bellingham was “very afraid” of being papped. Marca say: “It seems that Aitana and he started flirting on Instagram and such and that Aitana, at one point, suggested to him ‘hey, let's meet up to get to know each other’. But he was very afraid that, at a certain moment, since they are both very well-known, they would photograph him.

“He was afraid of being caught because he cares a lot about his professional career. And (he) didn't want to be the focus because she is super well-known for her work, he didn't give rise to that meeting.”

Aitana is said to have got “bored” of the online exchanges, leading to the pair agreeing to remain friends. Bellingham has previously been linked to Dutch model Laura Celia Valk, although she recently claimed to be enjoying the single life.