Chalamet Plays Football Manager in Adidas’ World Cup Short “Backyard Legends”
The short film stars Timothée Chalamet, Bad Bunny, football’s brightest stars, and stars in-the-making
We open with the Oscar-nominee mid-conversation on the phone with “Benito” (more on that later) confident his football – not soccer – knowledge has found him players with what it takes for a challenge. Assured, he ends the call with “tell Leo (we’ll get to that too) it ends today.”
And Chalamet definitely knows ball as his chosen prospects turn out to be the trio of USWNT star striker Trinity Rodman, Real Madrid midfield maestro Jude Bellingham, and Barcelona wunderkind Lamine Yamal.
Along the way, Chalamet regales his star players with the story of their soon-to-be opponents – local legends who have never tasted defeat as he drives.
We cut to a montage of these “Invincibles” beating challengers of all shape and size, adding wins to a streak that spans generations amid a backdrop of iconic hip-hop beats.
Much to the disbelief of today’s footballers, Chalamet claims these unknowns have even bested the likes of prime CGI Sir David Beckham (with various hairstyles), Alessandro Del Piero, and Zinedine Zidane.
Several of today’s brightest football (and adidas) stars chime in to up the ante, as Chalamet calls for calmer heads asking them to “lock in”.
Chalamet’s team finally reaches the neighborhood court and prepares to lock horns in an epic “win or go home”, just as “Benito” and “Leo” make their on-screen appearances.
It turns out the Golden Globe-winning football enthusiast was chatting up Bad Bunny (whose real name really is Benito) and Lionel Andrés “Leo” Messi – the organisers of this exhibition. Eagle-eyed sneakerheads will notice they’re both wearing their signature adidas sneakers.
Ahead of the 22nd FIFA World Cup, “Backyard Legends” is a poignant reminder to the world that anyone can be great. That even your neighbourhood footballing exploits can be the stuff of legend. With “you got this” as the brand with the three stripe’s message to anyone who enjoys the joy and freedom football brings.
Over to you Nike.
Images courtesy of Adidas
