Former football star David Beckham has been named the world's best underwear model by ace designer Tommy Hilfiger.

Hilfiger believes the 38-year-old star can pull off the minimal clothing look.

"I have seen all kinds of underwear models, but we all wish we looked like David Beckham at the end of the day. He is like the underwear model of the century,` tmz.com quoted the designer as saying.

Beckham first stripped down in 2007 when he appeared alongside his fashion designer wife Victoria in the Emporio Armani campaign.

In 2012, the star bared his toned physique once again when he launched his own bodywear line for the high-street retailer H&M and he has continued to provide the chain with collections ever since.