In a move that is bound to please some of his fans and displease others, reigning World Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, has appeared nude on a magazine cover.

The Real Madrid and Portugal goal poacher and his girlfriend Irina Shayk grace the cover of the Spanish Edition of the June 2014 issue of VOGUE magazine, known as Vogue España.

In the cover photo, Russian super model Irina, who last week provoked a storm by posing nude with a BringBackOurGirls sign in solidarity with the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls, is shown wearing white and draping an arm around the neck of Ronaldo, who is completely naked but with part of his body covered by Irina.

Across their bodies is the headline “Amor y Fútbol”, which in English means “Love and Football” – this being a World Cup edition to be released next month as the 2014 Brazil World Cup prepares to kick off.

Inside the magazine are other shots of the couple in various amorous poses. The shoot, by famous photographer Mario Testino, took place in the Ronaldo’s palatial home in Madrid, Spain.

This is the first time Ronaldo and Irina, who have been dating since early 2010, are posing for photographs for a publication.

•Photo shows the provocative VOGUE cover of Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk.