The Battle for World Cup Ad Supremacy: Adidas, Nike, and the Brands That Tried
As the World Cup kicks off across North America, billions of eyes are turning toward the action on the pitch. But off it, a different kind of contest is playing out: the fight for the most memorable commercial. Adidas and Nike have long traded blows with iconic spots—think "Jose +10" in 2006 or "Write the Future" in 2010—and this year is no different. Both have rolled out star-studded campaigns, but they aren't the only ones in the game. Here's how the biggest brands stack up.
**Adidas (9.5/10)** Their "Backyard Legends" short film is a gem. Timothée Chalamet recruits Trinity Rodman, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal for a street soccer showdown against an unbeaten neighborhood team. Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, and Ousmane Dembélé pop in. Only the slightly creepy de-aging CGI keeps it from perfection.
**Nike (10/10)** They saved their best for last. "Rip Up The Script" features a who's who—Mbappé, Ronaldo, Van Dijk, Kim Kardashian, and Channing Tatum as Haaland's stunt double (complete with a Nordic ponytail). It's chaotic, hilarious, and earns top marks.
**Michelob (8.5/10)** Messi and Pulisic wreck a hotel lobby in "The Superior Match," with Billy Bob Thornton fuming over delayed beers. Alex Morgan and Guillermo Ochoa join the mayhem. Fun and fizzy.
**Brahma (7.5/10)** Ronaldo Nazário and Carlo Ancelotti celebrate Brazil's World Cup history as a city-wide kickabout breaks out. Nostalgic and spirited.
**Lay's (7/10)** David Beckham, Alexia Putellas, Thierry Henry, and Steve Carell host an "Epic Watch Party." Messi shows up. Solid comfort food.
**Lotto (7/10)** A street-to-stardom tale set in Mexico City, with Flavor Flav shouting in traffic. It somehow works.
**McDonald's (6.5/10)** Ronaldinho, Yamal, Pulisic, and Grimace hunt for promotional cups. A ball gets stuck in the golden arches. Silly but effective.
**Budweiser (6/10)** Jürgen Klopp and Erling Haaland star in "Let it Pour." Lots of beer flying. Confusing dream sequence. Average.
**Gatorade (6/10)** Pulisic and Vinícius Júnior learn that neon orange sweat is the real secret to success. Meh.
**Pepsi (6/10)** Beckham, Salah, and Gordon Ramsay try to build a football society. The banter falls flat.
**Powerade (6/10)** Yamal and Rodrygo team up. Bad luck: one is injured, the other questionable. Unfortunate timing.
**Duracell (5/10)** Messi runs out of battery mid-game, gets rebooted by a lab coat guy, scores. Weird.
**Coca-Cola (4.5/10)** "Uncanned Emotions" has no stars, no clips, just Peter Drury's commentary. Dull.
**Mastercard (4.5/10)** A piano-backed tribute to Messi's rise. Poignant but drab.
In the end, Nike takes the crown, but Adidas gave them a real run for their money.