Move over Posh & Becks! There's a new soccer star in LA as Ronaldo hobbles down the red carpet

They've both worn the number 7 shirt for Manchester United, and now soccer aces David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo both vied for attention on the red carpet at the ESPY sports awards ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Flanked by friends wearing sunglasses, and dressed in an expensive-looking cream suit, shiny-haired Ronaldo looked more than ready for his close-up - despite being on crutches.

Both players were nominated for awards, Ronaldo for Best International Athlete, and Beckham for Best Major League Soccer Player, but it was Beckham, 34, who took home the gong, with Ronaldo leaving empty-handed.

LA royalty: David and Victoria Beckham attended the ESPY Sports Awards last night...

...and Cristiano Ronaldo arrived to have his moment in the Hollywood spotlight

Beckham, fast becoming the elder statesman of football, looked rather sober in comparison to Ronaldo's high-wattage appearance.

And amazingly the presence of the two football stars managed to overshadow Beckham's wife Posh, despite the fact that she wore a tight pale yellow Roland Mouret dress, and a huge pair of dark sunglasses as she held her signature stiff pose on the red carpet.

For once, all eyes were on the two sporting stars as they enjoyed the spotlight at the annual sports awards event which was hosted by singer Justin Timberlake.

Tall order: David poses with his award, and is towered over by basketball star Candace Parker

Ronaldo is in the midst of controversy over a move from the football club to Spanish giants Real Madrid, where Beckham also famously played.

But while the controversy rages on, he has been enjoying himself in Los Angeles.

Yesterday Mail Online exclusively revealed how the football superstar turned down Paris Hilton after she made a play for him at a Hollywood nightclub.

Beckham, who now lives in LA, and plays for Los Angeles based team LA Galaxy received an award, and later was seen backstage being towered over by basketball player Candace Parker.

Host with the most: Justin Timberlake hosted the show, and donned a variety of disguises

A source said: 'Paris was all over him. The moment he arrived, she went over to his private table.

'But Ronaldo clearly wasn't interested in Paris. He turned his back on her.'

The 23-year-old Portugese star is a single man after splitting from model Nereida Gallardo, 25.

Beckham recently hailed Ronaldo's impact last season. He has said: 'I would give the Golden Ball (world player of the year) award to Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been incredible this year.'

Hollywood heartthrobs: David Beckham meets teen heartthrob Zac Efron at the ESPY awards last night

And he told Sky Sports: 'When I left Manchester United the only other club I wanted to play for was Real Madrid.

'Living in Madrid and playing for Madrid - there's not many better clubs than that apart from Manchester United, which is equal.

'But to have those two choices is good for him.'

He added: 'Playing for Manchester United was my dream but so was playing for Real.

'It was an incredibly difficult choice to make and I'm sure it is the same for Cristiano.'

The finale of the ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles last night