Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, of Real Madrid, will be the next footballer to model underwear for Emporio Armani, in their spring-summer 2010 collection, replacing AC Milan and England footballer David Beckham, Italian sports daily La Gazetta dello Sport announced on Friday. Originally, Armani chose “Shevchenko, then Kaká, both alluring, both footballers, both Milan players – and both fully dressed,” said the paper. When it came to modelling its line of underwear, Armani went for Beckham, on loan to Milan since 2008 and “the most beautiful of them all,” who posed nude, apart from a pair of the Italian fashion house’s boxers. He was also joined by his wife Victoria: both “very sensual,” says the daily. On Friday, the “most beautiful” was traded in for “another delight with the ball,” Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid’s 24-year-old star, the most expensive signing in history and “the most sought after man on the planet” of which his “repeated conquests and chronicles of his steamy nights” are proof, it surmises, The news, which was leaked by sources from both the football and fashion worlds, has still not been made official. According to La Gazzeta, Ronaldo will feature on advertising billboards for Armani’s younger clothes section in all of Europe’s major cities as of February next year. The advertising campaign will most likely take place in Milan, it adds, stressing that this is the first time Giorgio Armani has chosen a footballer that doesn’t play for AC. “This time it’s the turn of the international media’s favourite footballer; one that plays for Real Madrid, drinks champagne with Paris Hilton in Los Angeles and sails his boat around the Mediterranean,” concludes La Gazzeta.

Firstly, let me say that I think it’s foolish of Armani to NOT offer David Beckham a new contract to appear in another year of underwear ads. Yes, it makes sense to switch up models with each new year but Beckham helped Armani reach new heights in underwear sales. If you also consider that with Becks comes his wifey Victoria Beckham in her own underwear ads … it just makes sense. That being said, if they had to replace Becks with anyone it is very smart that they went with another high profile footballer. Cristiano Ronaldo has always struck me as David Beckham, Jr. (but with a crispier tan) so he would be the most natural heir to this campaign. I’m very curious to see what Ronaldo’s Armani underwear ads will look like. Will his bulge measure up … in sales? I guess we will soon find out.

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I imagine that a sports celebrity of Ronaldo’s stature has the ability to choose the masseuse of his liking … I cannot imagine that anyone would say no to someone of his celebrity … so, clearly, this hairy dude was Cristiano’s #1 pick. I’m not entirely sure what the guy was lookin’ for in that area of Cristiano’s body but … I hope he found it … looks like fun.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

MONEYBAGS Cristiano Ronaldo was spreading his bets last night, holed up in a Las Vegas hotel penthouse with two pretty girls . . . and neither was Paris Hilton. The football ace, 24, has moved from the heiress’s home city of Los Angeles to the gambling mecca as part of his holiday celebrating his £80 million transfer to Real Madrid. He is staying in a £5,400-a-night suite at the exclusive Palms Casino Resort and disappeared to the rooms at 5am with the mystery girls-one blonde one brunette-in a lift. Poker? It’s not known what games the Man United star actually played. But yesterday hotel staff described the women, who are Portuguese and in their early 20s, as “old friends” of the Portugal winker. Once in the 2,200 sq ft penthouse, the girls would have been able to enjoy its many luxuries, including a hot tub that hangs over the side of the building. Meanwhile desperate Paris, 28-who spent Wednesday and Thursday night with Ronaldo-wants to kick-start her flagging career by MOVING to MADRID with him. The fame-hungry professional party-girl has designs of them becoming the new Posh and Becks. She dumped her US TV star and baseball ace boyfriend Doug Reinhardt on Tuesday, when she heard mega-bucks Ronaldo was in LA, we can reveal. Then she brazenly pursued her goal of scoring with the footballer by telling him within a few hours of meeting him: “We could be great together, you know. “We’re both so famous we’d become even bigger than David Beckham and Posh Spice. We’re way hotter and younger than them anyway!” She was overheard at her sister Nicky’s house, where the pair spent the night. Afterwards Paris giggled to a friend: “I told him I’m going to move to Madrid to be with him. I promised.” The pal told us: “Doug was just a washed-up reality TV star. All of a sudden there wasn’t as much interest in Paris, and her appearance fees were cut dramatically. She was working like a dog to make the same amount of money as before. She knows if she wins over Ronaldo she’ll be one of the hottest properties again.” Don’t put money on that just yet . . .

It looks pretty obvious that Cristiano has gotten over his case of Hiltonitis and has moved on to sunnier pastures (if you will). Earlier this week, it was reported that football club Real Madrid made an £80 million offer to have Cristiano leave his present team Manchester United … so I guess the young lad is taking his time to think over the offer. I guess partying it up in Hollywood and then Las Vegas isn’t a bad way to celebrate … I just hope he doesn’t end up taking home with him more than he bargained for. They do have creams for the itch, Cristiano. I bet he could buy his fair share with some of that £80m.

[Photo credit: INFdaily; Source]

How did Paris Hilton lure soccer stud Cristiano Ronaldo? Why show him her ass, of course! TMZ got these photos of Paris and Cristiano snuggling up at club MyHouse last night. A source close to Paris told us Ronaldo was staring at her all night before he finally went up to her. After he finally got the nerve to approach her, we’re told he couldn’t keep his hands off her and they eventually headed over to sister Nicky’s house. Our source said, “Paris is stoked to be with a real athlete — unlike her ex, a low-paid minor league baseball player.”

HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Classic! E! News’s Ted Casablanca has more deets on what went down at The Darkroom on Tuesday night … and it sounds really juicy:

Team Paris went on the offensive yesterday, confirming the breakup while Doug was still busy blabbin’ that everything was “fine” between them. Score one for Ms. Hilton. One big theory from camp Doug is that she went psycho on his ass. Remember how we told you early yesterday that Brody and his crew (including Doug, too, we were later informed) were at Darkroom when a slew of skanks rolled in? Apparently, Paris decided to pop in on “guys’ night out” and was all but pleased about the scantly clad blondies vying for all the Hills dudes’ attention. Sources at the bar tell us Paris was “a raving lunatic” and threw a “handful of limes” at the girl talking to Doug, shoving her against a wall. Once the fight was broken up, Paris then started scratching and beating on Doug. He then called Paris a “fucking crazy bitch” before everything calmed down. Don’t mess with a Hilton scorned! Doug’s friends hightailed it out of there, and Paris and Doug left at the same time to “figure things out.” Meanwhile, Paris & Co. not only deny this account—provided to us by Darkroom witnesses—but they also claim that she dumped Doug after realizing he was a “publicity hound,” which left poor Dougy crying at her guarded gate. Oh the drama. Most likely, the fight at the bar happened, Doug realized he wouldn’t get his picture taken, like, ever again if he didn’t take Paris back and then she refused him. But that’s just an Awful Truth-issued scenario, mind you! What’s yours? Either way, we hear that Nicky, Conrad, Barron and the rest of the Hilton clan are thrilled D is finally out of the picture. We told you forever ago how much they all hated him, and nothing ever changed.

Alas … the course of true love never did run straight. It would seem that the love affair betwixt Pug Dilton truly has ended once and for all. He thinks she is a “fucking crazy bitch” and she thinks he is a “publicity hound”. Sniff. Ah well … it was tragic while it lasted.

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For some men, the idea of wearing a flower as an accessory would have them running for the hills. But not for Cristiano Ronaldo. The footballer happily wore the pink bloom behind his ear while relaxing in the Italian sunshine. It was perhaps intended to complement his pink baseball cap, which he wore backwards on his head. Completing the outfit was a pair of very tight white shorts, white trainers, a string of pearls, a blue polo shirt and sunglasses. The Manchester United star chatted with a male and a female companion against the backdrop of a stone wall. His balding companion was seen reaching out to adjust the button on Ronaldo’s shirt, and later laying his hand against the footballer’s rippling stomach. The trio then rode off in a golf cart, with Ronaldo taking the wheel, the mystery brunette by his side and his male friend perched on the back.

Okay … Cristiano was deffo rockin’ the pink (ain’t nothing wrong with that) and the tight, white shorty shorts but he was not wearing “a string of pearls”. He was wearing the crucifix that he never seems to take off … ever. See, the poor guy gets reamed every time he tries to express himself fashionwise … he is better served just going out in public wearing as little clothing as possible … which is where the new batch of mostly nekkid pics comes in. After the jump, check out another batch of photos of Ronaldo enjoying the Sardinian beach in a different pair of shorty shorts …

See … much better. I’m not a big fan of the lad as a footballer but as a beach-goer, oh yes! I mean … right?

[Photo credit: Big! Pictures, INFdaily; Source]

Cristiano Ronaldo may have been outclassed on the football pitch this week, but if there is one thing he still leads the world at it must be sunbathing. The world’s ‘number one’ footballer was left smarting at his team Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona on Wednesday. But today he was appeared to have shrugged off the disappointment as he soaked up the sunshine in Sardinia. Wearing his favourite sunbathing outfit – a silver crucifix and white swimming shorts – he lay down on a sunbed before diving into the ocean to cool off. Perhaps the 24-year-old is planning on repeating last year’s impressive display of tanning – when he turned a deep mahogany colour. The £100,000-a-week star spent his recuperation from ankle surgery soaking up the rays on a daily basis with a gaggle of supermodels. This time the Portuguese heart-throb won’t have long to enjoy the sun in Porto Cervo before it’s back to the training ground … Worth an estimated £70million, Ronaldo has continued to play down reports he will leave Manchester United for a move to Real Madrid … The beaches of Sardinia are a favourite holiday spot. He was there last year with then girlfriend, Spanish model Nereida Gallardo.

Yes, he looks much nicer in these photos where his tan looks pretty natural. I don’t think anyone liked it when he looked like a piece of burnt bacon last Summer. Here’s hopin’ we get much more of Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro lookin’ all wet and stuff at the world’s beaches!

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Manchester United rekindled glorious European nights from their past as a stunning goal by Cristiano Ronaldo fired them to victory over Porto in their Champions League quarter-final Wednesday. No English team had ever beaten the Portuguese champions on their own soil, but the winger’s first-half wonder strike gave his team a 1-0 win on the night, 3-2 on aggregate, to set up an all-English semi-final tie with Arsenal. Coming into the game as underdogs after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last week, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson urged his players to bring the spirit of the 1999 treble winning team to the Dragao Stadium in what was his 150th Champions League match. One flash of genius from the Portuguese maestro coupled with gritty defensive play earned United glory and keeps the red half of Manchester dreaming of the quintuple. The United handler was like a little schoolboy at the end jumping up and down in delight. “It doesn’t matter who you play when it is your 150th game!” beamed Ferguson. “150 games is a long time! I thought we defended very well and we had restored stability at the back with (Nemanja) Vidic and (Rio) Ferdinand reunited which is a solid partnership and they understand each other so well. I couldn’t see too much danger from Porto really, save some half chances but nothing more than that.” Ferguson started with the same formation as the first leg but had the luxury of picking a fit Ferdinand in defence while midfielder Anderson was given a start against his old club. The Dragons from Porto were intent on making the same type of start which rocked United last week, but after a promising opening they were stunned by a sixth minute rocket from Ronaldo. There seemed no danger when the winger drove into the Porto half, but the World Player of the Year took a swing of his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 35-yards into the top left-hand corner of Helton’s goal. “That was maybe one of my best strikes,” conceded Ronaldo. “Anderson gave me the ball and when I turned I knew I was going to go for a shot. It was intentional,” added Ronaldo, who admitted that being played up front was not his favourite spot. Ferguson was in awe of the goal. “It was unbelievable. It was a magnificent hit,” purred Ferguson.

HMMM … stripping at the end of a soccer match may be something that David Beckham is known for but I don’t really mind that Cristiano Ronaldo has taken up his mantle. I’m willing to cheer on Manchester United to victory from here on out if it means that Ronaldo plans to keep celebrating in this manner. Congrats!! And please keep the winning/stripping coming!!

[Photo credit: INFdaily; Source]

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United star, has written off his Ferrari sports car following a crash in a tunnel. The 23-year-old footballer emerged from the tangle of wreckage unscathed. It is understood that at the time of the crash Ronaldo’s red 599 GTB, on Portuguese registration plates, was just ahead of the Bentley Continental being driven by his team mate, Edwin van der Saar. Both are thought to have been en route to United’s Carrington training ground. Police reached the scene a short time later and spoke to Ronaldo about the accident. He was breathalysed after the accident, which happened at around 10.20am on Thursday. Police said the test proved negative. The winger was well enough to continue his journey and join team mates at a routine training session. The crash, which left the £200,000 Ferrari a virtual write-off, happened on a stretch of the A538 that takes traffic under the runways of Manchester Airport between Wilmslow, Cheshire, and nearby Hale. An eye-witness said: “The front of Ronaldo’s car was completely mangled. There was metal all over the road, and debris. We had to dodge our way through it. “Ronaldo was just standing at the side of the road looking forlorn and bewildered. My daughter said to me, ‘Oh my God – that’s Cristiano Ronaldo!’ It’s amazing he was okay because his car looked so bad.” Ronaldo’s Ferrari is among a fleet of cars he owns that are worth around £2 million. His other cars include a Bentley Continental GT Speed and a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. He also has two Porsche Cayennes and a BMW M6.

Altho Cristiano may not be worried about the loss of his car, he might want to be concerned about the police investigation that is forthcoming … especially if there was speeding/racing involved in this incident:

Police will investigate whether Ronaldo had been speeding and are expected to question his teammate Edwin Van Der Sar, 38, who was apparently travelling behind in his ??200,000 Bentley, about his driving speed … Police apparently suspect that as he went into the tunnel, which has a speed limit of 60mph, the footballer may have lost control of the car before spinning into the side of the tunnel. The impact then caused the car to lose a front wheel and it then ricocheted off the wall until it finally came to a stop further down the tunnel. Ronaldo was able to clamber out of the wreckage and remained at the scene until police arrived. The striker was taking the 205mph supercar, which he had imported from Portugal two days ago, apparently for its first spin when he lost control of it on the A538 Wilmslow Road, near Manchester Airport.

Damn. He is so lucky he wasn’t injured … or worse. I suppose we’ll know in due time what the cause of the accident was but I suspect that some form of speeding was involved. A 23-year old guy taking his new sportscar out for its first spin? Yeah … I think we know what went down. In the end, again, he’s lucky to be alive.

[Photo credit: Splash News, Source; Source]

Lord, he looks so much better when he’s not sunburnt to within an inch of his life. Sure, I much prefer when Cris dons the speedos instead of the squarecut shorts but I am not complainin’. You gotta love how the staunchly Catholic Cristiano wouldn’t dream of stripping down to his skivvies without wearing his crucifix … he deffo has a style all his own. Here’s hopin’ Cristiano spends a bit more time on holiday in Funchal … that way, we might be able to see more photos of his hot bod in action.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

Dayum. Cristiano is a hottie but these photos are among the hottest pics of the lad that I think I’ve ever seen … well done Danilo Celebrity Calendar makers. He looks so much better when he’s not fried to within an inch of his life … he looks very, very nice … yes?

[Source, thanks Kevin]