Cristiano Ronaldo will model for Armani
Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the new spokesmodel for Emporio Armani men’s underwear and jeans, the Milan-based fashion house announced Friday.
Ronaldo, 24, will begin appearing in a new worldwide advertising campaign starting in spring 2010. Cristiano replaces L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham who had been Armani’s spokesman since January 2008.
Beckham, 34, is currently developing his own line of men’s underwear.
The ad campaign is a coup for Ronaldo, who (like Becks did before him) will appear in seductive Emporio Armani underwear billboards around the world.
The move is also confirmation for Real Madrid that paying a record $131 million transfer fee for the Portuguese international winger was a worthwhile investment.
Cristiano’s increasing global profile will no doubt benefit the Spanish soccer club’s stadium ticket sales and merchandising profits.
Ronaldo, who has been playing soccer since age 3, is a study in extreme physical fitness. At 6’1″ and 182 lbs., the soccer phenom is one of the leanest, fastest and fittest athletes to grace the world stage.
Cristiano, who has been having a terrific start with his new club, suffered a severe ankle injury after scoring two goals in Real Madrid’s 3-0 Champions League win overOlympique Marseille on Sept. 30.
Since then, Ronaldo has been training with his teammates with a bandaged ankle. But he remains optimistic that he’ll be fit enough to play in Portugal’sWorld Cup qualifying match against Hungary Oct. 10.
Since joining Madrid this summer, Ronaldo has been unambiguous about his desire to be the best footballer in the world.
“I want to go down in history as one of the greatest players ever, and if I can be remembered as the greatest of all time that would be fantastic,” he said.
Ronaldo, who is the reigning FIFA Player of the Year for having scored a staggering 42 goals last season, made international news when Manchester United agreed to sell him to Madrid for $131 million, making him the most expensive player in European football history.
Despite his success, Cris has no intention of resting on his laurels. “I want to get better and better,” he says. “My ambition is huge.”
I seriously don’t believe it. I pray Wayne is better for the cup!
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