D'Oh! Why Ronaldo and Homer must beware... The Curse of the Nike advert

By Mirror Football in 2010 World Cup Blog

Published 19:00 20/06/10

Remember the excitement and raucous critical acclaim that greeted the arrival of Nike's pre-World Cup 'Write The Future' ad?

We do - 3pm's Steve Anglesey quite rightly named the star-studded clip the greatest World Cup advert of all time .

And yet it would seem the fates have somehow been angered by the sheer magnificence of director Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu's vision. For ever since the ad aired, calamity has struck almost everyone who has appeared in it, to the extent that there are now anxious whispers about The Curse of the Nike advert.

Don't believe us? Just take a look at the evidence...

(In rough order of appearance)
Didier Drogba - broke his arm during Ivory Coast's final World Cup warm-up match against Japan.

Fabio Cannavaro - made calamitous error that allowed Shane Smeltz to score New Zealand's opener against Italy during the team's 1-1 draw and pull off one of the shock results of the World Cup so far.

Wayne Rooney - arguably the single-most under-performing player at the World Cup to date, he was forced to apologise after insulting England fans following that dismal 0-0 draw against Algeria .

Lassana Diarra - forced to withdraw from French squad after being diagnosed with a genetic blood disorder at the team's training camp.

Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery, Jeremy Toulalan - three members of the French squad who are currently embroiled in one of the biggest meltdowns in World Cup history. Both Evra and Ribery have also been involved in fights - with French fitness coach Robert Duverne and midfielder Yoann Gourcuff respectively.

Theo Walcott - controversially and unexpectedly omitted from Fabio Capello's final 23-man England squad .

Cesc Fabregas - fell out with club manager Arsene Wenger after demanding transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona. Currently involved in tapping-up row .

Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique - not only did this Spanish pair suffer a shock group stage defeat to Switzderland, but Iniesta also limped off injured while Pique was largely at fault for Gelson Fernandes' goal.

Ronaldinho - failed to make Brazilian coach Dunga's final 23-man squad for South Africa.

All we can say is, don't put any money on Roger Federer winning Wimbledon in two weeks' time - and watch out Homer Simpson: it'll be you next...

(Watch the advert again below)