Actor Timothée Chalamet recruits a dream team, made up of players Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Trinity Rodman, to face a group of friends who have become the kings of soccer on a street field. In its cinematic advertisement for the 2026 World Cup, Adidas celebrates the joy of playing and reminds fans that a legend can be born in any corner.
The ad is part of the “You Got This” platform
“Backyard Leyends” was conceived by Lola United States, Omnicom’s new agency, arising from the merger of Adam&EveDDB New York and 180 US, and is presented as the new installment of the “You Got This” platform, launched by the brand two years ago. The message of the claim acts as an inspiration from history, inviting sports lovers to bring freedom and passion for football to every field, whether it is a playground or the largest stadium in the world.
The five-minute short film is produced by Smuggler and was made by director Mark Molloy, known for Apple’s “The Underdogs” saga. It stars Timothée Chalamet, who sets out to form a team capable of taking on Clive, Ruthie and Isaak, a small local team whose winning and losing streak has survived generations of rivals.
In a car on the way to the field and accompanied by the players, the actor tells that story, which dates back to the late 90s, and which has included meetings with icons such as Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Alessandro Del Piero, who appear as their younger versions thanks to technology and special effects.
Along with them, Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz and Santiago Giménez also appear in the spot, completing the stellar cast of the advertisement.
“We all remember that feeling: playing for the simple pleasure of doing it, without pressure, without expectations. With ‘Backyard Legends, we celebrate that freedom.’ It’s a reminder that self-confidence and spontaneity are the true winning mentality.“said Florian Alt, Vice President of Global Brand Communications at Adidas, in a statement. “While we encourage competitiveness, our ambition is to inspire everyone to free themselves from that pressure by playing freely and believing in themselves. This is important for both professional and amateur players; in all sports, in all parts of the world“.
“Backyard Legends” is the main audiovisual piece of Adidas’ sponsorship for the Soccer World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to 19 in Mexico, the United States and Canada. The campaign is part of a broader effort to ensure the brand is “present in the world’s biggest fields and every backyard in between.”
According to Adweek, the brand’s sponsorship would be between $150 and $200 million, and would include activations during broadcasts, additional content on social networks and digital platforms, and special performances in stadiums. Adidas is also the official supplier of the tournament ball, as well as the equipment of 14 participating federations.
