Cristiano Ronaldo to model Armani underwear in ads

ROME (AP) -Italian fashion designer Armani says soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo will model underwear and jeans in a new worldwide advertising campaign.

Milan-based Giorgio Armani SpA says Friday the Ronaldo ads will start in spring 2010. Ronaldo signed with Real Madrid over the summer after leaving Manchester United. He also plays for Portugal's national team.

Ronaldo follows the lead of David Beckham, who posed seductively in Emporio Armani underwear in a previous campaign including billboard ads.