Cristiano Ronaldo parades highly toned torso in Armani ads ahead of his first appearance at the World Cup

By Jessica Satherley

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


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.

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: Ronaldo shows off his talents with the football for some training ahead of his afternoon match


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.


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


Ivory Coast do have their star player Didier Drogba though. He hit six goals in five appearances for Ivory Coast during qualifying. However, after breaking his right arm in the team’s final warm-up 11 days ago it is unsure whether he is fit to play today.

But the star striker has resumed training and asked permission from Fifa to wear a cast, fuelling speculation that he might still take to the pitch for Ivory Coast.

Both Ivory Coast and Portugal were on the field doing last minute training this morning ahead of their afternoon match.

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

source: dailymail