If you have ever wondered just how much of a star Landon Donovan is in Mexico, consider that he's now starring in his own Mexican lottery commercial.
Here is one of the funniest soccer-themed commercials you'll ever see (especially if you're a USA fan who speaks Spanish):
For the Spanish-deficient, the premise of the commercial is that Donovan is sneaking into Mexico to play the Mexican lottery because it's easier to win. "Winning in Mexico is much easier," Donovan says at one point, drawing the ire of the border guard.
Wondering when this commercial was made? It looks a bit old but was actually just filmed three weeks ago.
Between his new Gatorade sponsorship deal and now the Mexican lottery, Donovan's endorsement power is growing. He also showed off his comedic talent in this commercial, though I'm not sure acting is in his future.
What did you think of the commercial? Laugh out loud? Was the humor lost in translation? Wishing the Mexican lottery had gotten Rafa Marquez to play the role of the border guard? (then again, if Marquez had been the guard, Donovan would have just outrun him).
I would have love to see Donovan play for Club America. He’s the player Mexicans love to hate and America is the team Mexicans love to hate, it’d been perfect.
The (non-football) thing I like the most about LD is how un-“superstar” he is. The guy sounds kinda dorky and is kinda balding and generally just seems like a nice uncle type. His gringo Spanish accent reflects this as well,
you mean 3 and out like in Germany06 France98 Italy90 (lol)and soon South Africa10 choking with brazil(but we beat spain HA HA HA)or can’t win in MEXICO including your Mickey Mouse Teams.
Bien hecho LD. Classico!
Yes… & when was the last time Mexico made it to the quarter finals outside of Mexico?
U okay Mr. Donovan in my book
culeeeero ha ha ha
Don’t take a leak in our stadiums please
Cinco Cero
had Landon gone to play for America, they would have filled the stadiums at every game…
it would have been big money for Mexico…
though not the best decision for his career at this point…
he’ll go one day… mark my word.
Was Erik Estrada not available?
Cause i’m awesome
There was a Sportscenter ad a few years ago when David Ortiz put on a Yankees hat. Pretty hilarious, too.
Some of these comments need to chill out and I bet you’re not big Lee Marvin fans…
G’damn, it’s a friggin’ commercial, in Mexico nonetheless. And it’s funny to boot.
Landon to C.A. in 2011!!!
Oh really, when’s the last time you won in Mexico? Oh yeah, NEVER…
You have to admit, this is great!
Any Mexican can tell you that what he says at the end is ‘lero’ an abbreviation of ‘culero’ which is sort of like backstabbing/SOB of the worst kind and is usually yelled at refs when they make a bad call. Even though it is also used as ‘lero lero’ sometimes which is sort of like karma getting back to you, it wouldn’t make sense in this context.
By the way as an ex- Club America reserve and ultrafan I was keeping my fingers crossed for Landon to play for us. He is welcome anytime!
Ask yourself that question first.
You’re from Canada…why are people paying any attention to what you say?
The guard got mad because he figgered cakes was diminishing the accomplishment of winning in Mexico (where they always do, so far) by saying it was easy. Also, he pulled a glute when he jumped out of his chair.
I officially no longer hate Landon Donovan
mexicans are actually good sports about this. This is like reggie miller doing a NY commercial or Jeter doing a commercial in Boston
I thought he said “perro” at the end…
I don’t think he said “culero” at the end as that word may keep the commercial from airing on TV due to obscene language. Landon says “lero”, which is short for “lero lero”, which translates into “nah-nah” in English. It would be in keeping with the tongue-in-cheek flavor of the ad. Good stuff.
Actually, he’s 1/2 Canadian !!! 🙂
Too bad he didn’t say “Dos y Cero” at the end. Still funny though. Don’t give up your day job Landon!
Dontreadondeuce,
I think it’s safe to assume that’s what was said. I listened to it several times as well. The only thing that is clear are the last 2 syllable “-leeer-o”. They probably left out the first syllable, “Cu-” in a half-hearted attempt to dodge the curse.
Landon! Te aventaste, dude! Si. Sinoor, is muy fonny.
Soquete
I asked this to one of my Costa Rican host brothers years ago. I’ll never forget the response. He said, “You know what a vacero is right? Caballero? Well, culo means a**hole.”
So, if a vacero is a master of cows, and a caballero is a master of horses, then a culero is the master of… you guessed it. Surprised it would be in a commercial. I’ve listened several times on pretty good audio and I’m not sure that’s what was said.
the subtlety of mispronouncing “mexican” was actually pretty funny from his end. a little self-depreciating humor always helps to make someone seem a little more “normal,” eh?
I hope we do see some more commercials for him and other Nats on tv. The guy could be the Peyton Manning of soccer if he wanted. Surely Nike could help him out in that regard – maybe something like those LeBron and Kobe muppets commercials.
I love it. Culero is what he meant to say at the end…lol
Landon and Greg are both Chameleons…..
Landon says “Culero,” which is a mild (or very harsh, depending on intent) swear word used by people in the crowd at a game when the referee makes an unfavorable call. The intonation is like the chant form used to express this displeasure.
I think it’s funny, too, and he should keep the moustache.
LOL! Boys at Everton/Galaxy will give him a hard time about that one! That is great!
What does someone (the border guard?) say at the very end when LD is walking back to the fence?
Now that we’re all lovey dovey… Imagine how much money could be raised if a team of two heated rivals were paired against another team of two heated rivals. This is obviously a pipe dream, but it would have to happen in some down time post World Cup. Think of the turn out for a USA/Mexico vs. Brazil/Argentina in the Rose Bowl. FIFA could do a series around the world and give the money to a good cause (after they pocket their share of course). Probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever posted, but I have drank a lot of wine.
The MLS Cup…That’s that thing TFC fans are always reading about, right?… Seriously though, it’s nowhere near as bad as Maradona and his commercial where he wore a Brazil shirt.
Thanks!
And doesn’t Landon fall down at the end when he’s leaving? Hilarious!
the comercial is hilarious
Right. Let me rephrase. Memo Ochoa is on Coca Cola displays all over east Austin. USMNT players are nowhere to be found.
Oh, for heaven’s sake…do any of you folks have a sense of humor?
This commercial is awesome! It shows the sense of humor of both Landon and the Mexican people. It’s great.
ah yes, thanks
it is “culero”
Words can’t describe how awesome and hilarious this is.
GREAT FIND IVES!
*and a hearty belated MERRY XMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you my friend. SBI is where it’s at – belie’dat!*
Part of the reason Landon is so popular with Club America fans is that he peed on Chivas’ field.
I’ve even seen screen prints of his face on America’s giant bass drums.
He’s also always the big interview among the U.S. players on Spanish-language TV because he speaks passable Spanish.
Hearing him speak Spanish to well-known Mexican interviewers and media has really helped his image down there, I think.
I have no idea what he says at the end…it sounds like “dedo”, finger, but in the way people say “culero” at the games. No clue.
Ives here is an HD link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N01hwFmpkIU
does he call him a pedo (fart)?
I’ll take your word for it, Ives. Defies logic, but okay.
What does Landon say at the end when he’s walking away? Must be a slang word i dont know haha. This is hilarious, gracias por la comercial Ives!
That is awesome! Funny stuff!
You might wanna rephrase that last part, Babieca! ha.
But I agree, US cities with large latino populations (like Chicago, for instance) have lots of Mexican nat’l team spokespeople. Memo Ochoa sells Insurance and Miller Light i think, and Blanco is all over the place, too.