Cristiano Ronaldo has scored for Juventus during his first game since denying a rape allegation.

The Portuguese player, 33, scored his side's second goal in a 2-0 win over Udinese at the Stadio Friuli in Udine on Saturday afternoon.

It comes after the former Real Madrid star appeared in a full-page advert in the Italian media for his underwear line.

The advert was carried by Italy's largest sports daily, Gazzetta dello Sport, and promoted Ronaldo's CR7 brand (seven is his shirt number) which is stocked by Yamamay.

The photo of him modelling the underwear was published after some of his sponsors, including Nike, expressed concern about the rape claim.


Image: Cristiano Ronaldo modelled a line of underwear for Yamamay. Pic: www.yamamay.com/it_it/

Gianluigi Cimmino, chief executive of INTICOM (Yamamay), told Sky News: "We respect the presumption of innocence and the history of a champion who has always proved to be such [a champion] on and off the football pitch.

"I don't want to add anything else and I wouldn't want to take advantage of this moment.

"Too much hypocrisy around."

Sky News correspondent Enda Brady reported that hundreds of fans waited in the pouring rain outside Stadio Friuli in Udine to catch a glimpse of the world famous footballer before the match.

He said: "The team bus whisked into the stadium ahead of the Serie A clash against Udinese with many young fans wearing replica Ronaldo jerseys and cheering.

"'It's all about the money," one teenage Juve fan said. "Certainly that's what we all think. I mean, why wait this long to accuse him?"

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri said Ronaldo was "doing well" despite the allegation against him.

"I've known him for three months, but I can say that in his 15 years of his career he has shown great professionalism and seriousness both on and off the field," Allegri said.

On Friday Juventus's share price fell 10% the day after the team management tweeted its support for their star player.

Ronaldo is accused of raping American teacher Kathryn Mayorga, in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009.

Ms Mayorga, 34, has filed a lawsuit against the player, and police in Las Vegas have reopened their investigation.

The lawsuit claims she was coerced into signing a $375,000 (£332,000) out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo in 2010.

She wants the agreement to be declared void.

Ronaldo, 33, tweeted on Wednesday that he "firmly" denies the accusation - his first direct denial of the allegation.

"Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in," the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player said.

"Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.

"My clear conscious (sic) will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations."

Image: Kathryn Mayorga accuses Ronaldo of raping her in 2009

Nike, which has had a contract with Ronaldo since 2003, has said it is "deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations" facing the footballer.

In a statement, the company said it would "continue to closely monitor the situation".

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Italian team Juventus

Another of Ronaldo's sponsors, EA Sports, said: "We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values."

Electronic Arts has featured Ronaldo on the cover of its EA Sports' FIFA series for two years.

According to ESPN, the top of the FIFA 19 section of the EA website prominently showcased Ronaldo wearing the Juventus jersey until at least Sunday.

Now he is only on the cover of the game box with another player.