Timothee Chalamet and a stacked collection of stars star in this new adidas ad ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Adidas debuted their new ad, “Backyard Legends,” in anticipation of football’s biggest event. The five-minute cinematic masterpiece features some of the sport’s biggest stars in a campaign that will surely hype up football and sports fans around the world ahead of the World Cup.
Leading the ad is ultimate sports fan Timothee Chalamet. The actor has recently made rounds across the sports world after being frequently spotted at New York Knicks playoff games and reportedly skipping the Met Gala in favor of attending a Knicks game. In the ad, Chalamet assembles his own dream team to take on an unbeatable neighborhood crew made up of Clive, Ruthie, and Isaak.
The team
Chalamet’s squad features FC Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, and United States women’s national soccer team player Trinity Rodman. Rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona unite for this special campaign, while Bellingham and Yamal also famously faced off in the UEFA Euro 2024 Final between England and Spain. Rodman added even more star power to the lineup.
The story
The ad tells the story of an unbeatable neighborhood crew that dominates everyone in its path. They have remained undefeated for years, even defeating football legends Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham – and his iconic hairstyles throughout the years. It is a celebration of football heritage and star power.
The flurry of stars does not end there. Young stars Florian Wirtz, Pedri, and Santiago Giménez also make cameos alongside top 5 Ballon d’Or finishers from last season, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha.
More stars
Chalamet also trades banter with adidas’ biggest ever football star and World Cup 2022 winner, Lionel Messi, who is jokingly revealed to be Chalamet’s backup plan for his dream team and is referenced early in the ad with the line, “This ends today, Leo.”
Joining Messi is global superstar Bad Bunny, one of the most-streamed artists in the world. Bad Bunny has also made waves in sports culture through his Super Bowl appearance and multiple WWE matches.
Adidas also released a part where Messi and Bad Bunny just talked about the unbeatable neighborhood crew.
Dominating the market
Adidas delivered an exciting campaign that aims to dominate the marketing landscape ahead of football’s biggest event. The ad reflects the brand’s massive cultural reach and market dominance. The company recently also launched World Cup kits for pets as part of its push for inclusivity.
“Backyard Legends” is a storytelling masterpiece that blends football heritage with modern celebrity culture. Chalamet, an Oscar-nominated actor, collaborates with today’s football stars like Bellingham, Yamal, and Rodman, alongside global superstar Bad Bunny and football legends Messi, Del Piero, Zidane, and Beckham. Combined with appearances from today’s elite stars, the campaign transcends the traditional celebrity endorsement. The World Cup hype is officially on.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 12 at 3:00 AM Philippine time and will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Images courtesy of Adidas.
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