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Lawyers for Mr Berlusconi requested that the Real Madrid striker appear at the next hearing in the long-running trial, which will take place on Monday (Nov 5), the Daily Telegraph reported.

They hope his testimony will undermine the credibility of the Moroccan-born nightclub dancer at the heart of the trial.

Karima El Mahroug, better known by her stage name as Ruby the Heart Stealer, told prosecutors that she had a fling with the Portuguese player in a hotel in Milan – a claim his lawyers vehemently deny, saying that he was not even in the city at the time.

Lawyers for the former prime minister also called as witnesses Daniela Santanche, a Right-wing MP in Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, and Belen Rodriguez, an Argentinian model and television presenter who appears frequently in Italian gossip magazines.

The defence also said they want to hear testimony from Aida Yespica, a Venezuelan model and beauty queen who was among the dozens of showgirls who reportedly attended "bunga bunga" parties at his mansion at Arcore, on the outskirts of Milan.