Jude Bellingham sat in the front row at Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer menswear show last year, along with Kim Kardashian, Lenny Kravitz, and Lewis Hamilton. The Real Madrid player wore a floral brocade shirt and trousers in all black. He added a white silk scarf and, as is normal during fashion week, a pair of sunglasses.

At the beginning of this year, when the 21-year-old went to Germany for the Euros, he wore Louis Vuitton’s classic Keepall Bandoulière 45 duffle, which has been a signature bag since 1930.

There were many hints. This week, Louis Vuitton made Bellingham an official “Friend of the House.” This made the relationship between the two public.

For British GQ only, Bellingham said, “It is such a pleasure to join the Louis Vuitton family.” I’ve been interested in the house since I was a child. It makes me so happy to keep getting to know Pharrell, whose work I really admire.

One of the best football players in the world and one of the most powerful fashion brands have joined forces. Bellingham and Pharrell, who is in charge of designing clothes for Louis Vuitton, are also getting to know each other better. As of 2023, Williams was the head of LV. Since then, he has been in charge of some of the most talked-about events in fashion, such as his joyful and hugely impressive debut show that took over Paris’s Pont Neuf and his revival of house classics like the Speedy bag, which can now cost $1 million because diamonds and gold have been added to the hardware.

Williams was happy about Bellingham’s new job and said, “I’m excited to welcome Jude to the house. His charismatic personality and what he has already accomplished on his inspiring journey will add so much to our LVers community.” That’s code for the respected group of artists that the brand has, like pop star Sun Yitian, rapper Pusha T, and tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.

Bellingham is photographed against a dark grey background while wearing LV double-breasted suits and jackets with logos on them. The ad came out at the same time as the partnership. In another picture, the football player recreates his now-iconic open-armed goal celebration. This is the same moment that was on the cover of EA Sports’ FC 25 and is shown here in the background of a loud crowd.

These pictures are a nod to Bellingham’s work. On the pitch, whether he’s playing for Real Madrid or England, Bellingham is completely in charge. He is the rock-solid backbone of a world-class team, and at just 21, his GOAT status is already becoming clear. But the shine doesn’t end at the grounds. Not only is Bellingham a style prince (GQ readers just named him the Most Stylish player at Euro 2024), but Louis Vuitton also says in their public communications that he’s kind. Bellingham mostly does charity work for schools. Since he was 15, he has been donating and earning money for school supplies for Miche Bora nursery and primary school in Mombasa.

Jude Bellingham will be seen wearing LV a lot more now that she is a Friend of the House. She will be going to shows and fronting ads. If you don’t find any more hints about his LV alliance, the case is closed.