Future is in the stars
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. Sportswear giant Nike has launched an epic three-minute tribute, Write the Future, to next month's World Cup tournament.
Featuring soccer greats such Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney and Fabio Cannavaro, the advert - first broadcast during Saturday's Champions League final - has had more than 6million hits since it was placed on YouTube.
Directed and produced by Hollywood filmmaker Alejandro G Iñarritu of the movies Babel and 21 Grams, the advert, shot over six months, also features Franck Ribery, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Patrice Evra, Gerard Pique, Ronaldinho, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Thiago Silva.
The story begins with a viewer drawn into the heat of battle on the pitch as a ball drops from the air into the path of Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba.
As the world holds its collective breath, Drogba picks his way through sliding defenders and expertly chips the ball towards the goalkeeper.
Wild celebrations commence across Africa. But they are curtailed at the last second as Italian player Fabio Cannavaro makes a stunning overhead on the goal line, kicking the ball out.
This game-changing moment propels Cannavaro into a pop culture icon complete with television chat show appearances and a song dedicated to his moment of brilliance.
The sequence is similar for most stars featured in the advert, where they envision what missing or scoring that one goal during a soccer match could do to their careers.
It also features England's star striker Wayne Rooney, who faces the choice of a glorious celebration or a long life of obscurity as trailer park trash if he misplaces a pass.
In a statement, Portugal's Ronaldo, transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid for £80-million last year, spoke of the advert as being rooted in reality.
"Every touch you have in a game has the ability to change the entire course of not just those 90 minutes, but your entire tournament or season," he said.
"One touch of the ball can be an opportunity to leave your mark on the game and write your own future, or equally a moment missed, that creates a legacy for your opponent with their fans."
Special cameos are made by tennis No 1 Roger Federer, basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and cartoon character Homer Simpson.
Nike vice-president of global football marketing Davide Grasso said: "This epic campaign really captures the scale, emotion and impact that one single moment in a football game can have on a player, fan or nation.
"This is just the beginning of the journey. The next stage allows everyone who loves football to engage and interact in an incredible way," he said.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.