We’ve reached a new level in the relationship between Nike and the young phenoms churned out at Santos FC. It began with PSG’s Neymar, who signed with the multinational corporation at the age of 13. That trend continued with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who, at the tender age of 11, became Nike’s youngest-ever affiliated athlete after dazzling at a youth tournament in New York.
Liga MX returned this past weekend with Club América securing all three points thanks to Sebastián Córdova’s dramatic winner against Atlético San Luis. After an unkind finish to 2020 — including defeats to Chivas in the Apertura quarterfinals and LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals — América is looking to rejuvenate itself through new manager Santiago Solari.
Kylian Mbappé and LeBron James caused a stir on the internet Tuesday when the two sports superstars suddenly swapped profile pictures on Instagram.
For a moment, fans speculated if the changing of pictures was foreshadowing an Mbappé transfer to Liverpool as James is part of the Reds’ ownership group. ESPN FC stirred the pot a little more by repeating the rumor on Twitter.
It’s been 18 years since Nike’s legendary “Secret Tournament” advert that coincided with the brand’s approach to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Directed by Monty Python member Terry Gilliam with a budget of around $100 million, the commercial featured “referee” Eric Cantona and 24 superstars of the game (Thierry Henry, Francesco Totti, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Luís Figo, Patrick Vieira, Edgar Davids, etc.) and Junkie XL’s new remix of Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less Conversation”.
In a strictly sporting sense, the worst part of the pandemic was definitely the postponement of Euro 2020. On the one hand it deprived us of a month-long carnival of joy (the expanded 2016 tourney was thrilling with Wales and Iceland getting out of pocket and Portugal claiming top prize despite winning only one match in regular time), and on the other it reminded us of how dumb it is to host a major international tournament in 12 different countries (Did you ask for this? I didn’t ask for this).
But the countdown is once again on with Euro 2020 Part Deux just 283 days away!
With the 2021 Copa América approaching (it's September?), we can finally start to dream about the return of international play with its accompanying displays of passion, history and fantasy.
Few sides stir the imagination like two-time Copa winner Chile, with stalwarts like Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel and Eduardo Vargas encapsulating an approach that can kill you in all manner of ways — just ask Messi.
Carson Pickett is exactly what fans expect out of a women’s soccer player in the NWSL. Whether she is putting in work on the field or putting in work to advocate for limb difference awareness, Pickett is a great role model.
Pickett became largely known when a photo of her with a young boy went viral on Twitter.
Nike has released the third part of its "You Can’t Stop Us" campaign and it’s pretty amazing. The campaign itself is geared towards showing the resilience of people around the world. No matter the odds stacked against you, you must always rise above.
The first film in the series was narrated by LeBron James and called "Never Too Far Down." In it, James talked about coming back from defeat. Coming back and fighting with every ounce of strength marks an athlete, and people around the world can learn from that.
Goalkeepers hating new footballs is a tradition unlike any other, so prepare for an outpouring of grief come the start of the 2020-21 Premier League season as Nike debuts its new Flight ball.
According to the geezers inside the Nike Lab, the Flight ball utilizes four panel construction — as opposed to the traditional 12-panel ball — which helps create a 30% truer flight than its predecessor (the Merlin).