Nike has quite literally brought football to life in its latest campaign, enlisting the talent of a talking football to star in its latest ‘Play New’ spot.
The football in question is old, damaged and falling apart – much like the coach it is there to represent.
“Oi, you! Sit down, shut up and listen ‘ere! You need to get a few things in your head if you’re going to make it in this game, alroight?”the ball says.
“First of all, you’ve gotta be greedy. I’m looking for that nasty streak. You don’t ask, you take. You’re either the star of the show—or a loser!”
The ball continues to hurl abuse at the camera, with cliches such as: “Nice guys finish last!”
The abusive ball finally meets its match when Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford arrives to boot it far away.
As well as launching on the eve of the upcoming European Football Championship, the ad also comes at a time where professional athletes around the world are calling out abuse.
Earlier this year, a group of European football clubs boycotted all social media activity to protest the abuse and discrimination that players receive on these platforms.
