cicemburong News: Rio does Ronaldo: Ferdinand braves abuse in denim hotpants and cropped top on lads' holiday

Rio does Ronaldo: Ferdinand braves abuse in denim hotpants and cropped top on lads' holiday

As Manchester United prepare to say goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo, it looks like another of their stars is stepping up to fill the striker's void - style wise at least.

Spotted enjoying a lads' holiday in Israel, Rio Ferdinand appears to have stolen his outfit from his Portuguese former team-mate's wardrobe.

The 30-year-old Londoner's tiny pair of denim hotpants and red and yellow cropped T-shirt showed off an athletic physique but could hardly be described as manly.

Fans will have to hope the defender was taking the mickey out of the metrosexual look favoured by Ronaldo, who is about to join Real Madrid for £80m. But then again...

Bizarre: Rio Ferdinand shows his feminine side in a tiny pair of denim shorts and minuscule cropped top as he holidays in Israel

Cristiano Ronaldo wears a pink flower in his cap as he relaxes on holiday with a mystery woman in Italy May 2009

Inspiration? Rio's outfit may have been mocking Ronaldo's metrosexual look

With just two months to go before he marries long-term love Rebecca Ellison, Rio's outfit could also simply be a spot of stag-themed fun.

Holidaying in Italy last month, Ronaldo showed off his metrosexual style in a tiny pair of white hotpants, pink baseball cap and a flower behind his ear.

If Rio's friends were in on the joke, they certainly didn't join him and wore normal swimming trunks and T-shirts as they joined their friend at a beachside cafe.

With no women in sight, Rio chatted and laughed with his male friends, including St Johnstone player Jody Morris, as they bonded over cocktails and sandwiches.

An onlooker said: 'You might expect Ronaldo to wear something like that but not a big, tough defender like Rio.

'He looked really comfortable in the outfit and was laughing and joking with his friends.'

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has a bite to eat at a beach restaurant in Israel

Chowing down: Rio looked comfortable with his bizarre outfit as he munched on a sandwich at a Tel Aviv beach cafe

Boys' talk: Rio chats to his friends over lunch, including Jody Morris (far right)

Rio Ferdinand Rebecca Ellison Manchester United party 2007

Wedding bells: Rio and his fiancée Rebecca Ellison will marry in August

Rio regularly holidays in Israel and is currently learning to speak Hebrew after being introduced to the country by his Israeli agent, Pini Zahavi.

Peckham-raised Rio is planning to wed fiancée Rebecca at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire in August.

The couple were originally set to wed last year, but postponed it after Rebecca fell pregnant with their second child Tate, now ten months.

Rio proposed to his girlfriend of seven years in 2007 while they were holidaying in Las Vegas.

The couple also have a three-year-old son Lorenz.

Among the footballers expected at their summer wedding include Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown, David Beckham, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole.

However, there are rumours Wayne and wife Coleen may snub Rio's marriage after he was a no-show at their own ceremony last year.

Reports claimed Rio and Rebecca had accepted an invitation to attend the £5million wedding in Italy, but dismayed the celebrity couple when they failed to arrive.

Rio is also reported to have invited rapper 50 Cent, DJ Chris Moyles and actor Mickey Rourke.