The coolest football adverts in the world... ever
So, you’ve pumped your money into a football club through sponsorship or investment, what can you expect in return? Nicer seats, priority parking, salmon en croute at half time and, more than any of these, an advert featuring players.
Yes, give football clubs and footballers buckets full of money and they’ll happily help you promote a product - as Blackburn have proved with their hilarious new Venky's advert.
Here is Annie Eaves' choice of the top 10 coolest football adverts. For Steve Anglesey's choice of the cheesiest 10, click here
Adidas, Messi, Kaka and GerrardThree footballers draw themselves and then Gerrard becomes more Scouse than he’s ever been.
Smirnoff, Manchester United
Playing football in a huge pool of vodka to a haunting soundtrack? How can that not be a good idea?
Nike, Spain
Football adverts go arty. Some of the world’s best players, and Fernando Torres, write on their naked torsos. There’s a deep meaning here, somewhere.
Adidas, Jose + 10
Legends of football travel through time and end up playing for Jose’s street team. That is, until he gets called in for his dinner.
Nike, Thierry Henry, Manchester United and others
Henry invites a few friends around and demolishes the interior of his house. Sorry boss!
Pepsi, Real Madrid v Manchester United
An epic. Players take part in a Wild West-style contest to settle a bit of aggro. Juan Veron looks far more comfortable as a cowboy than he ever did as a United player.
Nike, Parklife
Hackney Marshes plus Eric Cantona, Ian Wright, Robbie Fowler and David Seaman sounds like a good recipe. It was, producing a real feel-good advert – although how it would help sell Nike products is slightly beyond me.
Pepsi, Good Versus Evil
The number of football adverts featuring Wrighty and Cantona suggests they quite liked making them. This must be one of their favourites, Wright is head butted by Evil and Eric saves the day by obliterating the opposition goalkeeper. Au revoir.
Nike, Brazil We go all the way back to 1998 for this one and see Brazil take on an airport at football. If you’re over 25, it’ll have you yearning for the good 'ol days.
Nike, Brazil v Portugal
Watch these two teams have a football scrap around a stadium while trying to out-trick each other. Ole!
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