The Director’s Cut of that Nike Commercial

By: Laurie | July 6th, 2008

The good news for all of us is, I’m not going crazy. At least not on this issue.

When I saw the original version of this Nike commercial on YouTube, I was absolutely certain there was an utterly charming barf-on-the-floor sequence. But when they showed the actual television ad during Euros, all I saw was shower water splashing on the tiles. I assumed I had been mistaken in what I thought I’d seen.

I am happy (or perhaps not-so-happy) to inform you that I was correct. That scene is here, in all its glory, along with a number of other deleted scenes. It starts with our unnamed boy as an unknown player getting scouted by Arsene Wenger before being brought on board at Arsenal.

I wasn’t crazy about this ad when I first saw it. But it grew on me all through Euros, to the point that I was always disappointed when they showed the shorter versions.

This director’s cut made me think of an interview Patrice Evra of Manchester United gave shortly after he’d battled his way into the starting lineup at ManU, about how hard he’d had to work to become “costaud” enough to play in the EPL after his transfer from Monaco. This ad is all about becoming costaud (manly, buff, strong) enough to play with the big boys.

(Question: Am I going to go to EPL hell for saying that an ad about an Arsenal player reminded me of a ManU player?)

(Thanks to mCalcio for the find)

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Category: World Football

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Laurie

Weston: Perhaps. But not on this issue.
Weston (@wpazzurri)

daniele: haha, lol

and

laurie: yes you are
Daniele

Is this suppose to be Van Persie with a head camera on?
João

They always show the full version on Dutch television (well almost the full version) not surprisingly, considering we're following a Dutch player.

And to answer Joe's question: I believe Holland is playing Portugal you can see a shirt saying Nani and during the match you also see Ronaldo.
Drabik

Definitely atletico. Santana is seen as they walk out the tunnel.
Magnusson

My view of this is that nike still hasn't given up on their idea of marketing soccer like an american sport. This ad is great and I love it but most kids don't train for soccer like americans soccer players do or like the nike commercial would have you believe. For proof just look at the players and how they really train.
When you train for soccer, you run and then you practice your skills. In nike ads, players wake up at 5.00 to play in the snow (that ac/dc wake up commercial was so dope) and shit.
Let's be real, no one does that.
Still, one of the best commercials i've ever seen.
Phil M.

wenger loves little boys and they took the knocked out tooth part to...lame espn and arsenal sucks!
Ronald

to answers Lee's question, i think arsenal are facing Athletico Madrid ( cause if you slow the video down, the sponder of the blue kits is KIA )

and for Joe, there opponent is Portugal ( for the obvious reason that Costinha, Nani, and C.ron names are in the back of the shirt )
Joe

And who was the Oranje's opponent in that last game?
tenaciouslee

That was brilliant. I thought the 2 minute long one was the director's cut. Who was Arsenal playing in the game after ManU?