Pepsi Max released an ad titled “Nutmeg Royale” ahead of the 2022 World Cup, and it’s sure to be an iconic streak for years to come.
Featuring some of football’s best players, past and present, Lionel Messi is joined by Paul Pogba and Ronaldinho in a nutmeg tournament. Often, nutmegs are a source of great ridicule. All over the world they are greeted with derision, howls of laughter heaved over the unlucky soul who has just been foiled by the most humiliating skill.
But, at the start, it is not the trio of footballers who make the nutmeg.
The Pepsi Max Nutmeg Royale ad
Starting with a role reversal, Messi is muscled as he bends over for a Pepsi, sending the media world into a frenzy. Pogba and Ronaldinho become victims of skill themselves as they concede double figures in the tournament.
Of course, anything football-related can’t be missed by Fabrizio Romano, who is shown tweeting through the action during the commercial. There was no ‘let’s go’ here, just Messi, Pogba and Ronaldinho on their own.
Indeed, the three footballers, not wanting to be outdone, have embarked on an immeasurable plan of action: to make everything they see nutmeg. They also all wear the Pepsi Max 2002 football jersey during the film, a nod to two decades ago when the brand released this kit.
Including Fatboy Slim’s iconic soundtrack “The Rockafeller Skank” and with Peter Drury providing background commentary, there’s arguably no trick Pepsi hasn’t missed – it even includes a horse named Horsinho (we sure Arsenal tried to sign him around 2008?).
Football social media influencers Luva de Pedreiro and Kaljit Atwal are also showcasing their talents with a ball at their feet in the advert, their inclusion meant to champion the ambition of the next generation of footballers.
But perhaps the most poignant message of all in the film is when GOAT begins to roll out of Messi’s throat, with the soft drink brand clearly agreeing with FourFourTwo that he is, indeed, the greatest player of all time…
Messi said of the advert: “It’s great to be working with Pepsi Max again and creating entertaining football moments for the fans. I had a lot of fun shooting this campaign – it’s very energetic and allowed me to showcase one of my favorite football skills – nutmeg.
Coinciding with Pepsi Max’s new international slogan “Thirsty For More”, Nutmeg Royale tries to present the brand in a fun and entertaining way.
Senior Director of Global Marketing for Pepsi Max, Gustavo Reyna, said, “When we set out to create this campaign, we knew nutmeg was the perfect move to showcase.
“A shot of nutmeg is for the quick-witted, ambitious and fun-seekers who crave the thrill of the game. Creating entertaining moments for our consumers to enjoy is at the heart of who we are at Pepsi Max.
“It’s that unexpected fun that we really wanted to bring out in everything we do. With this movie and the upcoming moments that we’ve been planning, that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
