ESPN has just launched its first World Cup TV commercial to promote its coverage of World Cup 2014. The three words that can best describe this 90-second spot are class, sensational and goosebumps.
Instead of focusing on its talent, talking heads or itself, ESPN again has wisely chosen to focus on the beautiful game, and to let the sport of soccer do the talking.
Read: Guide to all 32 teams at World Cup 2014.
The beautifully produced commercial is, according to ESPN, “a celebration of the world’s greatest sporting event returning to Brazil, a nation that has won the Cup a record five times. It intertwines memorable moments and legendary players from the tournament’s rich history with the Brazilian culture and its impact on the beautiful game. The spot features iconic players and teams and a collection of the World Cup’s most indelible moments.”
The moments captured in the commercial include:
— Pele and his triumphant celebration in 1970
— Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Dutch captain Johan Cruyff exchanging flags moments before the 1974 Final
— Diego Maradona and his brilliant performance for Argentina in 1986
— Zinedine Zidane, whose epic performance for France led the host country to win the Cup in 1998
— Andres Iniesta, whose beautiful strike sealed Spain’s first World Cup title in 2010
— Cameroonian striker Roger Milla’s famous dance in 1990
— Dutch legend Johan Cruyff’s immortal turn in 1974
— England striker Geoff Hurst’s record-setting three-goal performance in a World Cup title match in 1966
— Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp’s memorable touch against Argentina in 1998
— Carlos Alberto’s wonder-strike for Brazil in 1970
— Paolo Rossi hoisting the cup for Italy in 1982
— And Landon Donovan’s celebration after his last-gasp winner against Algeria earned the U.S. Men’s National Team a place in the single-elimination rounds in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Read: World Cup 2014 TV Schedule for ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.
The spot culminates with the crop of current stars who will all seek to etch their names in the annals of World Cup history this summer: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Balotelli, Robin van Persie, and Brazil’s current number ten: Neymar.
ESPN will release a 60-second version of the World Cup commercial spot below during the network’s presentation of the 100th Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day.
Donovan is in here and Iniesta’s goal is not? Wow. Talk about pro-gringo homers.
Last time it checked ESPN was an English speaking American Television network. I’m sure they will make a pro ******* version for ESPN Deportes.
So gringo is okay for Worldsoccertalk but the Mexican’t version isn’t okay Gaffer.
The term you used is a slur, which is why I censored it.
And gringo is a term of endearment?
No, but it’s not a slur. Gringo can be used for positive, negative or indifferent means.
Get over it.
47 seconds
Donovan is in here for like 2 seconds, get over your homer national team, their streak ends in Brazil anyway.
Kick racism out of football.
I think it would be safer to travel to Russia for the winter Olympics than to Brazil for the World Cup.
This may be true but the world cup in brazil will be one to remember.