Very, very rarely do you find a television advert that is worth paying attention to. The majority of dross we are forced to sit through contains woeful acting that has clearly been shot in German and dubbed over, or a car on an empty road in the middle of autumn with the latest over-played indie-rock track in the background.
But, when Nike used to release a football advert, most often to coincide with a major tournament, commercial breaks became a thing to look forward to.
The nostalgia while compiling this countdown was overwhelming. These Nike football adverts are absolutely brilliant, and while Nike are still pumping out some decent efforts, they can't hold a candle to the glory days of footballers running around airports, secret tournaments, and espionage missions to retrieve a football.
Have a look at our definitive Top 10 countdown, even though we're sure you know what #1 is already.
#10 - Freestyle Football
Unfortunately this advert lead to kids everywhere deliberately squeeking their runners on different floor surfaces, but that can't detract from what was a really popular commercial.
#9 - Stickman
This clip with music from Pharrel was such a big hit that "the stickman" even got his own line of clothing and training gear.
#8 - Henry's House
Theirry Henry was just trying to enjoy some dribbling practice in his mansion when all these professional footballers broke in and started trashing the place. Oh, and Manchester United hide in his closet apparently.
#7 - Take It To The Next Level
This brilliant mini-movie puts you in the shoes of a professional footballer as you start in Sunday League, where Arsene Wenger apparently scouts, and then get thrown in at the deep-end away to Manchester United. Brilliantly done.
#6 - The Mission
Louis Van Gaal leads a team of footballers/secret agents who must retrieve a football from a musem guarded by football-ninjas. We just wish it was a full feature length movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t_fJCOVyN8
#5 - The Rematch
The sequel to THAT Nike football advert, the rematch was also brilliant. And it was on a boat. You can't bring Roberto Carlos anywhere!
#4 - Good vs Evil
A team of international footballers must play a seemingly un-winnable match against a squad of demons. And although we don't quite know how they fit Ronaldo, Ian Wright, Patick Kluivert, and Eric Cantona in the same team, we still love the iconic "Au revoir..." from Eric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwq6QXvhXEY
#3 - Ole!
Now the bastard who nutmegged you at 5-a-side had an incredibly annoying catchphrase to say when he did it. Also, millions of kids all over the world frustrated their friends and team-mates with countless failed 'elastico' attempts.
#2 - The Airport
What a master-piece. This was an absolute delight to watch, and there is no way anyone who watched this didn't at least think about dribbling a football through the baggage claim the next time they were in an airport.
#1 - The Cage
It had to be. Definately up there with the best adverts of all time, The Cage was a phenomenon surrounding the 2002 World Cup. People specifically looked for commercial breaks to try and catch this, and Elvis vs JXL - 'A Little Less Conversation' went straight to #1. We just so badly wish it was a real thing.
