“WORLD CUP 2010: Cristiano Ronaldo poses in skimpy briefs for Armani”

WORLD CUP 2010: Cristiano Ronaldo poses in skimpy briefs for Armani

Posted: 15 Jun 2010 03:04 AM PDT

By Jessica Satherley
Last updated at 4:48 PM on 15th June 2010

The world's best footballers have had their thoughts on nothing but the World Cup in recent weeks. But Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, 25, managed to find time to pose for another Giorgio Armani underwear ad.

With impeccable timing ahead of Portugal's Group C opener against the Ivory Coast, newly released pictures see the footballing star showing off his sculpted torso in skimpy briefs and skin-tight jeans.

And judging by the Portuguese captain's rock solid physique, he has dedicated just as much time to his training off the pitch, as well as on it.

Training? He might not be on the pitch, but Cristiano Ronaldo has clearly been working out by the looks of his torso

The 25-year-old forward's latest modelling pictures for Armani have just been unveiled, giving David Beckham's campaign a run for his money.

The Real Madrid star's ad campaign for Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani Underwear will roll out worldwide in July, with billboards across London, New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

And his athletic prowess is one that might win Portugal their first World Cup match against the Ivory Coast this afternoon.

Abs of steel: Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his rock hard muscles in his new ad campaign for Giorgio Armani's jeans and underwear

This afternoon the Real Madrid star was captaining Portugal in Cape Town.

He will be hoping to do better in the tournament proper than in qualifying, having failed to score a single goal for Portugal in seven matches.

Ball skills: Ivory Coast's Ismael Tiote and Cristiano Ronaldo battled for the ball as their match kicked off

Despite Ronaldo's international fame and recognition, it is the whole team that will decide whether Portugal comes out on top and they do have an amazing reputation.

The team has never drawn a group game at the World Cup, but have won eight and lost four.

They have also not lost an international match since 2008, when they were beaten 6-2 by Brazil.

But Ronaldo didn't get off to a good start in today's match after he was handed a yellow card in the first half.

Yellow card: Cristiano Ronaldo is stunned as he receives a yellow card from referee Jorge Larrionda during match between Ivory Coast and Portugal

And in a shock recovery for Ivory Coast, their star player Didier Drogba, who hit six goals in five appearances for the team during qualifying, came on as a 65th-minute substitute.

After breaking his right arm in the team's final warm-up 11 days ago it was unsure whether he would be fit to play today.

But the striker was granted permission from Fifa to wear a cast during the match and therefore got the chance to work his magic on the pitch.

Portugal vs Ivory Coast kicked off today in Port Elizabeth at 3pm.

Fight for victory: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo fights for the ball with Ivory Coast at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth

Last campaign: Cristiano Ronaldo stripped for 2009's Armani Underwear advert campaign as well

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Our soldiers are dying to save a world going mad, so idiots like this one can flaunt himself to make more millions. Why the media expose these bufoons we have no idea, do we have to be bombarded daily by these pathetic people.....................

- BRONCO LINCOLN UK, BLIGHTY, 15/6/2010 16:42

His face is airbrushed here. Looking at him now on the pitch, it is worn and kinda ugly

- ned, is, 15/6/2010 16:38

Can't stand this guy but lovely body. The pose in the last photo is questionable though....

- Grace, London, 15/6/2010 16:37

I can't stand him. He's a bad looser and an even worse winner. No sense of humility and completely slimey.

- M.L., Ex-pat, Greece, 15/6/2010 16:36

Give me Hugh Jackman any day. Please :-)

- Sarah, Farnborough, 15/6/2010 16:32

A man with a toned body....yes.

But a man with a six pack and bulging muscles....no....for me there is nothing more off-putting, simply trying too hard to impress.

- Jan, London UK, 15/6/2010 16:30