Madonna, 66, sparks fears over new boyfriend Akeem Morris, 28

Madonna‘s close friends are concerned that the pop icon has fallen for yet another younger man who they believe is ‘not in it for love’ – but simply fuels her need to feel ‘adored.’ 

The pop superstar, 66, first flaunted her new lover, 28-year-old Akeem Morris, on July 4, just months after splitting from her ex boyfriend Josh Popper, who was 36 years her junior. 

The new couple, who have a 38-year age gap, were pictured engaging in a string of steamy clinches this weekend as Madonna celebrated her birthday in Italy with loved ones.

But insiders have told DailyMail.com that her latest romance has raised concerns about Jamaican-born Akeem’s intentions, after the soccer player’s ex previously accused him of cheating on her with Madonna.

‘Her friends thought that she was over dating younger men, but she clearly isn’t and no one trusts Akeem,’ the source began. ‘They want Madonna to be happy but she has to know that these guys, who are less than half her age, are not in it for love.’

The insider continued: ‘He is a small-time soccer player who is now travelling the world with Madonna and partying with her famous friends.’

Though the relationship is new, it has since been revealed that Akeem featured in a Paper magazine shoot with the Material Girl singer back in 2022.

However, it is not clear exactly how close the pair remained before Madonna’s most recent relationship with Josh Popper, 30, ‘fizzled out.’

What has become public knowledge is the fact Akeem appeared to still be in a romantic relationship with longtime girlfriend Reagan Rice around the time he sparked up the new romance with Madonna.

The insider explained how the sudden end of Akeem’s relationship gave Madonna’s friends further cause to fear his intentions with the Vogue hitmaker.   

‘The fact he was in a relationship with Reagan Rice when he got together with Madonna says a lot,’ the source noted. ‘Reagan found out on social media that he was with her. Her friends fear that if he did this to Reagan, he could do this to any woman.’

Madonna first shared pictures of herself cuddling up to Akeem on July 4 as they celebrated the holiday together in New York City.

She later posted a picture of herself in bed with Akeem as part of an image ‘dump’ on her social media, which she captioned: ‘Hot Fun In The Summer Time.’

At the time, Akeem’s ex-girlfriend posted videos to her TikTok page about his blossoming romance with Madonna.

Sharing her feelings, she said: ‘Put a finger down if your boyfriend of 3 years is now dating Madonna #madonna #breakup #wtf #2024 #heartbreak.’

Despite this, Madonna has continued to enjoy her romance – though friends already anticipate that the star will likely just move on to the next younger man when things with Akeem eventually sour.

‘Madonna seems to be invested in him but it is only a matter of time before they are done and she is onto the next one,’ the insider said.

‘She has a revolving door of younger men and no matter how many candles are on her birthday cake, her men remain the same age.’

The source explained that Madonna’s close friends are getting tired of having their warnings ignored.

‘It is at the point where she does not seem to care so people close to her are giving up trying to advise,’ they said. ‘She loves being adored and this is what he is giving her.’

Akeem was born on May 2, 1996, in Jamaica, though he now lives in New York City.

He studied at Stony Brook University from 2014 to 2018, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science and government.

While at college he showed off his talent for soccer on the school’s team and according to ESPN, was briefly a forward for New York’s Oyster Bay United FC.

Akeem shares snippets of his life in Manhattan and Brooklyn on his Instagram page, revealing interests in fashion, partying and lifestyle.

A recent selfie shared on July 25, was ‘liked’ by Madonna. 

The couple’s Paper magazine project was titled Madonna Is the Wildest Party Favor and included an interview conducted by Nile Rodgers.

It followed her surprise roller disco party in Central Park at the Chic co-founder’s DiscOasis.

The photoshoot was at Sugar Hill Supper Club in Brooklyn and captured a wild night out in the city, where she was joined by up and coming artists.

One of the artists was Akeem, who was seen partying with Madonna and the others in the photos and video clips.

Akeem shared a post about the shoot on his Instagram page, which he captioned: ‘Jus a yute from Spanish Town. Thank you for the opportunity. @madonna @papermagazine.’

Madonna’s latest boyfriend is only a year older than her daughter Lourdes, 27, whom she shares with her ex partner Carlos Leon.

She also shares sons Rocco, 24, and David, 18, (whom she adopted from Malawi) with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She later adopted Mercy, 18, from Malawi, and 11-year-old twins Stella and Estere in 2017.

After ending her marriage to Ritchie, the Hung Up singer kicked off her pattern of dating younger men by striking up a romance with 24-year-old Brazilian model Jesus Luz in 2008.

Two years later, she moved on to date French dancer and choreographer Brahim Zaibat – who was 24 years old at the time.

From 2018 to 2022, the hitmaker was in a relationship with backup dancer Ahlamalik Williams, 28 – who was almost 40 years her junior.

She then enjoyed a romance with 23-year-old model Andrew Darnell in 2022, before moving on to Summer House star Josh Popper in 2023.