Cristiano Ronaldo flaunts ripped 6-pack in Armani underwear

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his rippling muscles in sexy new ads for
Emporio Armani underwear. Ronaldo replaces David Beckham. (Photos/Armani, TMZ)

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo shows off his ripped physique in sexy new ads for Emporio Armani underwear.

Ronaldo, 24, replaces superstar David Beckham, who had modeled for Armani since 2008.

Cristiano, who reportedly does 3,000 sit ups daily to maintain his rippling six-pack abs, will also be featured in ads for Armani jeans.

"Cristiano is a great-looking young man with the perfect physique of an athlete," Italian designer Giorgio Armani told reporters.

'THE ESSENCE OF YOUTH'

Adds Armani: "He is the essence of youth: spontaneous, exciting, and a real maverick. It is for his energy that I have chosen Cristiano to become the new face of Armani - for his youthful, exciting, and sexy attitude."

Ronaldo was equally effusive in his praise for the Italian fashion legend.

"Giorgio Armani is a legend in the fashion world and I have long been a fan of his work," says Cristiano.

Meanwhile, Cristiano appears to have recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in September that kept him sidelined for two months. By working out on his own twice a day and doing extensive physical therapy, Ronaldo was able to recover to full form without having surgery.

'MY HEART HAS BEEN BROKEN'

The single Ronaldo may be the fantasy of millions of women (and men) around the world, but he has been dumped many times. "Women have ended relationships with me many times," he revealed.

"I've received many more knocks to my legs than my heart, but my heart has been hurt," he adds. "Luckily, I'm a winner and I've always gotten over it."

Over the years, the gorgeous Cristiano has been linked to a bevy of international beauties, including Spanish model Nereida Gallardo, Italian model Raffaella Fico, American socialite Paris Hilton, Bollywood star Bipasha Basu and British actress Gemma Atkinson.

Despite his far-ranging romantic conquests, many of his exes have spoken highly of Ronaldo, who describes himself as "romantic and sentimental."

'I AM A GENTLEMAN'

When pressed, the intensely private Cristiano says he tries his best to be a good role model.

"I try to behave well on and off the field, although that is not always easy for different reasons," says Ronaldo. "I try to be good, especially for the children. It is important to grow up with good examples. That is a big responsibility for me. I do believe I am a good role model."

While the press is obsessed with the single Cristiano's love life, he insists he tries to stay out of the public eye as much as possible.

"I come under intense media scrutiny so I am very private about the girls I date," says Ronaldo. "I am a gentleman, and I do not want them to experience the media pressure, which I have learned to ignore. For me, a girl does not need to be famous for me to like her. I do have my romantic moments but I am sensible."

Real Madrid's next game is on Jan. 16 against Athletic Bilbao.

Read more on Cristiano Ronaldo:

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• Cristiano Ronaldo named new Armani underwear spokesmodel
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