impossible is nothing.

1058hrs

This World Cup season is proving to be a bane for some and a boon for most. ;) Besides food delivery companies who are raking in the bucks from hungry-in-the-middle-of-the-night Singaporeans, those who have the cash to splurge on advertising campaigns this June will certainly reap the benefits too.

My favourite ad of recent times is certainly the newest adidas "Impossible Is Nothing" one, featuring José, a Spanish (?) kid wearing an old West Germany jersey.

The story unfolds one balmy afternoon, when José's chubby friend challenges him to a game of football… and that's where they let their imaginations take over!

One by one, they name their starting lineups, which include some the biggest names at this year's World Cup (and who happened to be paid millions to wear the three stripes of adidas :X). These include (clockwise from top-left) Japan's Nakamura, Argentina's Riquelme, Germany's Kahn and Ballack (adidas is a German company after all), England's Beckham, and France's Viera.

Some fun ensues when José chooses 70s legend Franz Beckenbaur to be on his team! Chubby says: "Beckenbaur?!"

But guess who shows up to say hello to current legend, German 'keeper Oliver Kahn? As Gerrard and Scholl look on.

Not to be outdone, Chubby picks French legend Michel Platini, with the help of current captain Zinedine Zidane. Looks like the French jersey hasn't changed much over the years…

The game kicks off as both team captains give instructions to their superstar teams. I found this part where Chubby tells Robben and Lampard to switch flanks particularly funny, haha. XD

In a case of art imitating life, Chelsea's Damien Duff finds himself coming off the bench. :X

At the game's climax, Lampard blasts a volley and claims a goal… but Kahn insists that the ball did not cross the line! Just when a decision is about to be made…

… José's mum shouts at him to come home. (w)

And we find out what we already knew in the beginning, but forgot for a while: that it was all in the imagination of the kids. What an enjoyable ad! You can watch it here and here or download it at the adidas site. :D