Coach: Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for World Cup playoffs

October 17, 1:34 PMNY Celebrity Fitness and Health ExaminerSamantha Chang

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Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch with an injury during
Portugal's World Cup qualifying win against Hungary Oct. 10
with Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte)

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit enough to play in the World Cup play-offs in November, predicts Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.

"We still have five weeks before the first game of the playoffs," Queiroz told reporters Friday. "We are absolutely confident that we will see Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid before then."

Ronaldo, 24, was having a promising start to the Spanish soccer season when he suffered a severe ankle injury Sept. 30 during Real Madrid's Champions League win over Olympique Marseille. The injury flared up again during Portugal's World Cup qualifying win against Hungary Oct. 10.

Since then, Cristiano--who is known for his incredible work ethic--has been undergoing extensive physical therapy and training on his own and with Madrid teammates. Ronaldo is expected to miss Madrid's highly anticipated Champions League matches with AC Milan later this month.

Meanwhile, Cristiano was named the new worldwide spokesmodel for Emporio Armani men's underwear and jeans. The hunky, superfit 6'1" Ronaldo will begin appearing in a new worldwide ad 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.

Ronaldo made international news last summer when Madrid acquired him from Manchester United for a record $131 million transfer fee, making him the most expensive player in European football history. Since then, he has been under intense pressure to justify his lavish price tag--something he was doing until his recent injury.

Still, Cristiano is confident he can live up to the over-sized fan and media expectations. "I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the world," he says. "I will show that the money they are paying for me has been a good decision."

Read more on Cristiano Ronaldo:

• Sorcerer: I put a curse on Cristiano Ronaldo
• Cristiano Ronaldo: I will return to full form sooner than expected
• Cristiano Ronaldo named new Armani underwear spokesmodel
• Cristiano Ronaldo: 'I believe I am a good role model'