When it came to replacing David Beckham, Armani looked no further than fellow footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 24-year-old Real Madrid star, famous for his waxed torso and silky skills on the pitch, has posed for Armani’s Spring 2010 campaign.
And, boy, did he pose.
During his two years with the Italian fashion house, 34-year-old David Beckham was thought to have benefited from a spot of air-brushing to help accentuate his muscles.
But at 10 years younger, 24-year-old Real Madrid star Ronaldo – who does 3,000 sit-ups a day to maintain his killer abs – will perhaps not require as much touching up.
That’s not to say that the Portuguese ‘winker’ hasn’t taken some inspiration from Mr Beckham over the years.
Not only has he taken his Armani crown, seen here fronting the Spring/ Summer 2010 ad campaign, but he has also followed him around the football pitch too.
In 2003 he signed for Manchester Untied, only to bag the famous No 7 shirt worn by the club’s departed star player Beckham.
And then two years after Becks left Real Madrid for LA Galaxy, Ronaldo reared his head again by signing a deal with the Spanish club.
In recent years has even been seen enjoying spending time in Los Angeles, proving that where ever Beckham is, Ronaldo is not far behind.
The pictures for the ad, which will hit billboards and magazines next month, were shot on location Madrid by renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
Speaking of his new signing, Giorgio Armani said: ‘Cristiano is a great looking man with the perfect physique of an athlete.
‘For me, he is the essence of youth – spontaneous, exciting, a real maverick. It is for his energy that I have chosen Cristiano to become the new face of Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani Underwear – for his youthful, exciting and yes, sexy, attitude.’
Cristiano added that he was ‘very flattered’ to be asked to model for the brand, saying he was ‘very pleased’ with the ‘striking pictures’.
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