A couple dumb things: that ad is clearly geared toward the World Cup as (most) all of the players were wearing their international uniforms. The one that wasn’t will not be playing in the WC this summer.
Also, as an American company, pretty crappy that they had Timmy getting scored on to end the ad. Loved having him in there, but don’t have the one American getting scored on so the “other team” wins. Just thought it was silly.
The uniform thing was explained above, it’s a sponsorship thing.
And even though I bleed USMNT (is that a thing?), I thought the ending was fantastic because it brings everything back to “the common man” going out and being the best they can be. Love the cameo by Howard, great job by all the stars, can’t WAIT to send CR off the field with his head in his hands wondering “how the eff did Hulk stop me” in Brazil!
Frank, as you can tell by the high definition and high quality of the video, on-time delivery, and lack of inane “color commentary” (I’m looking at you, JP), this game was not broadcast on American television. It probably was sourced from a Russian hacker re-transmitting a feed from a bootleg satellite feed – i.e. available to all who love the game.
Do you think he would have been in the commercial if Nike wasn’t an American company and they’re trying to cater somewhat to an American crowd? No really, I’m asking?
It’s too bad it the two teams were drawn against each other. It’s a shame that some unbelievable talent like Zlatan and Bale won’t be participating.
Not our fault that “countries” the size of Conneticut want to be independent. In the words of Jason Sudeikis, “How many countries in this country?”
Why would that be awkward? They are all pros. A lot of great players never make it to the World Cup. Giggs comes to mind right away…plus i’m sure he got paid handsomely.
technically the ad was just for Nike Soccer, not the World Cup. it obviously alluded to the WC but its just a commercial for the sport and the jerseys of top pros, hence why they had some club jerseys on (namely, Zlatan)
Barca’s away jersey this year is essentially the Catalan flag turned into a jersey. Which is why a lot of Spaniards aren’t so keen on the away kit. So the answer is everyone is right. Except Nationalists everywhere. But that’s politics and has no place in a sports discussion. Unless you think your mes que un club. 😉 Or your a high ranking FIFA official.
ah right on, i see that now… the shirt Nike picked looks just like an old USA jersey.
I thought it was Goetze
It was Goetze but I have idea what jersey he was wearing. It did sorta like like our blue sash jersey.
I think it was a random top because both Bayern and the German team are sponsored by Adidas.
Also, the Spanish Barca players are wearing Barca jerseys because Spain has an Adidas sponsorship. Same with Zlatan (PSG=Nike but Sweden=Adidas)
Also, Goetze wore a Nike shirt to his first Bayern press conference and some Adidas folks had a melt down about that.
Great spot! Honest question… If Nike took over for Addidas and put their marketing strength behind it, what could that do for MLS? I know Addidas has supported MLS a lot over the years, but marketing in the US, no one beats Nike.
Meh, Addidas has done tons more for MLS than pretty commercials. They invested in the early stages of our youth development, which is morphing into something much, much better now. Addidas has been a powerful ally to MLS and believed in it from the get go.
Dumb.
But I love me some Zlatan.
I love this.
favorite SOCCER commercial ever
Tim Howard would never get scored on by a kid. This was staged, haha.
“Zlatant thinks that Zlatan should take it”
Gold.
“Panenka!” is what last last kid should have yelled before taking his penalty.
“Zlatan thinks that Zlatan should take” Hilarious
A couple dumb things: that ad is clearly geared toward the World Cup as (most) all of the players were wearing their international uniforms. The one that wasn’t will not be playing in the WC this summer.
Also, as an American company, pretty crappy that they had Timmy getting scored on to end the ad. Loved having him in there, but don’t have the one American getting scored on so the “other team” wins. Just thought it was silly.
yeeeeahhh, um Lake, lighten up.
The uniform thing was explained above, it’s a sponsorship thing.
And even though I bleed USMNT (is that a thing?), I thought the ending was fantastic because it brings everything back to “the common man” going out and being the best they can be. Love the cameo by Howard, great job by all the stars, can’t WAIT to send CR off the field with his head in his hands wondering “how the eff did Hulk stop me” in Brazil!
Nice of them to throw Howard in there at the end just to have a couple goals scored on him…
…really getting those USA fans hyped up.
well Nike is an american company, no surprise they would put an american there.
+ 1
WHEN WAS THIS GAME ON TV I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED IT
Frank, as you can tell by the high definition and high quality of the video, on-time delivery, and lack of inane “color commentary” (I’m looking at you, JP), this game was not broadcast on American television. It probably was sourced from a Russian hacker re-transmitting a feed from a bootleg satellite feed – i.e. available to all who love the game.
The Hulk shot block was awesome.
Hate that T-Ho got scored on but loved the spot. He’s gotta have final say when it comes to the narrative. LOL.
Do you think he would have been in the commercial if Nike wasn’t an American company and they’re trying to cater somewhat to an American crowd? No really, I’m asking?
Ronaldo against Howard! I’ll be there in Manaus!
I’m jealous!! Have fun!!!!!
Isn’t Zlatan staying home this summer while the World Cup is happening? That had to be awkward for him to film this.
Correct, but Sweden lost out and Portugal went through. So we got Ronaldo but lost Zlatan.
It’s too bad it the two teams were drawn against each other. It’s a shame that some unbelievable talent like Zlatan and Bale won’t be participating.
Not our fault that “countries” the size of Conneticut want to be independent. In the words of Jason Sudeikis, “How many countries in this country?”
Why would that be awkward? They are all pros. A lot of great players never make it to the World Cup. Giggs comes to mind right away…plus i’m sure he got paid handsomely.
technically the ad was just for Nike Soccer, not the World Cup. it obviously alluded to the WC but its just a commercial for the sport and the jerseys of top pros, hence why they had some club jerseys on (namely, Zlatan)
Prediction: “Iniesto” mail carrier outfit becomes the world’s best seller…
Good spot. I still like nike’s pre-World Cup ad from the last cycle, though. And nothing will ever beat Nike’s ‘Deja Todo’.
Nothing will beat the “little less coversation” nike 2002 WC ads!
My favorite line: “Neymar wouldn’t do that.” (Pass the ball back)
Pique in a Catalan national team jersey.
Could be wrong, but thought it was Barca’s away kit
He’s wearing the Barça aways.
Neymar would have kicked the ball past the defender, run into him, then fall down clutching his face like he just got punched by Mike Tyson…
Barca’s away jersey this year is essentially the Catalan flag turned into a jersey. Which is why a lot of Spaniards aren’t so keen on the away kit. So the answer is everyone is right. Except Nationalists everywhere. But that’s politics and has no place in a sports discussion. Unless you think your mes que un club. 😉 Or your a high ranking FIFA official.
Loved the Pirlo bit. That was genius.
Greatness.
Everytime Timmy makes a key save I’m screamin’ HULK!!!!!!
THIS!
YES!! Timmy “Hulk” Howard! It MUST become a thing, SBI readers unite….IVES- if you’re reading this you gotta talk about this on the show)
KOBE!! also dam you howard should’ve stopped it
Timmy Howard was just keeping the penalty save for the real deal in Brazil later in June/July….Nike paid him well to miss in a fantasy!
I expected better from Howard and good luck to Adidas and Puma if they’re trying to be this
Beat*
Best line – ‘Zlatan thinks Zlatan should take it” lol
Haha. Glad Zlatan has a sense of humor about Zlatan
Jimmy’s gonna get you, Kramer! Jimmy holds a grudge!!
When a reporter asked Zlatan what he was getting his girlfriend for her birthday he replied, “Nothing, she already has the Zlatan.” Respect.
Guzan would have stopped it.
Why are half of them in club kits and half are in their national teams? Is it because certain national teams don’t have deal with nike?
Pretty much.
Also explains why Gotze was in generic black, since both Germany and Bayern are Adidas.
Great ad as usual by Nike. If they could only do kits that well.
That and because conceptually the game is just a pick-up game from the streets.
C’mon, Timmy! You gotta save that!!!
Seriously that guy was a nobody!
Timmy getting scored on.. an ominous sign of things to come at the WC???
I love Ronaldo but hate even the idea of him free kicking at Timmy
IN TIMMY WE TRUST
Was that graham zusi in the ad???
hard to tell, the voice is muffled and it didnt really look like him though he was wearing #19
I think he said Gotze
ah right on, i see that now… the shirt Nike picked looks just like an old USA jersey.
I thought it was Goetze
It was Goetze but I have idea what jersey he was wearing. It did sorta like like our blue sash jersey.
I think it was a random top because both Bayern and the German team are sponsored by Adidas.
Also, the Spanish Barca players are wearing Barca jerseys because Spain has an Adidas sponsorship. Same with Zlatan (PSG=Nike but Sweden=Adidas)
Also, Goetze wore a Nike shirt to his first Bayern press conference and some Adidas folks had a melt down about that.
Great spot! Honest question… If Nike took over for Addidas and put their marketing strength behind it, what could that do for MLS? I know Addidas has supported MLS a lot over the years, but marketing in the US, no one beats Nike.
It would create a lot of new golf shirts to be used on the field. 😉
Meh, Addidas has done tons more for MLS than pretty commercials. They invested in the early stages of our youth development, which is morphing into something much, much better now. Addidas has been a powerful ally to MLS and believed in it from the get go.