Nike, Pepsi, and Pure Nostalgia: The Most Iconic Football Adverts Ever | OneFootball

Adverts are famously irritating, an unwanted interruption to whatever box-set or programme you're tuned into.

But that hasn't stopped some unforgettable adverts from etching themselves into the football-verse. From secret tournaments, to cage battles, and much, much more, some adverts evoke utter pop-culture nostalgia.

Adidas recently dropped their attempt at joining the all-time archives, with a heist-inspired skit featuring some of thePremier League's biggest names and the iconic Zinedine Zidane.

Sure, the acting's fairly shoddy, but it's a valiant effort.

It gotFootball Muse thinking about our favourite football adverts...

Nike - Airport

Not much worse than being delayed at an airport, is there?

Ronaldo, presumably having spent the last of his Euros on an overpriced coffee, decides to get out a football to pass the time until boarding.

Soon, O Fenômeno and his silkily-skilled teammates are causing carnage all over the airport. There's a trademark Roberto Carlos curler around a shuttle bus before Ronaldo shrugs off security like they're a nineties Serie A defender in the conclusion.

All that's left is to score, but he somehow fluffs his lines to hit the post...

Nike - The Cage

We're not sure who came up with this idea, but let's hope Nike gave them a rise.

The music, the cast, the creativity, the silver scorpion ball, this is a 10/10 effort from the American giant.

This may even have been the inspiration behind one of the cult classic games of its era: FIFA Street.

Pepsi - Medieval Fight

We'll be honest, we're not really entirely sure what's going on here, but that doesn't make it any less fun.

A medieval menace aims to take the Pepsi from the small folk, only for a band of world-class footballers to win it back.

Roberto Carlos cracks open the locked away fizz, and there's even a cameo from a baby-faced Fernando Torres. But it's David Beckham who's the star here. That bleached blonde hair is giving Brad Pitt in Troy vibes.

Nike - Portugal vs Brazil

What is it about the Brazilians and causing chaos in Nike adverts?

Another all-timer from Nike, here, features a match-up between the Samba stars and Portugal. The antics off when Luis Figo nutmegs Ronaldo in the tunnel, causing a Brazilian backlash led by Roberto Carlos. Soon the two teams are running riot around the stadium, with Papa Loves Mambo the soundtrack as both battle for possession.

By the time the ball eventually makes it onto the pitch, it's Ronaldinho in control. The swashbuckling South America leaves a trail of Portuguese shirts in his wake, before the referee takes matters into his own hands. One crunching challenge and order is restored.

Nike - Ronaldinho’s crossbar wizardry

We promise this isn't just a run through of Nike adverts, but they've definitely set the bar throughout the years.

To celebrate the launch of Ronaldinho's latest boots, Nike put together this classic. Sure, the footage was fake, but Ronaldinho wasthat good that it had many of us guessing.

This was the first video onYouTube to reach one million views.

John Smith's - 'Ave it!

There's nothing sexy or skilful about this advert, but this would still meet the Jose Mourinho definition of 'football heritage'.

One punt over the fence, one-and-a-half words spoken.

No clearance could ever be made again without Peter Kay's immortal words.

Carlsberg's 'Old Lion' Pub Team

Carlsberg don't do pub teams, but if they did, they'd probably be the best pub team in the world.

That was the case when Carlsberg got this team together in 2006. A constellation of ex-England stars, with 796 international caps between them, turned up to represent the Old Lion in a Sunday league fixture.

That little of the in-game action or pre-match banter was scripted makes this even better.

Nike - ‘Winner Stays On’

Kids on the park, calling out the player they want to be in this fantasy-turned-reality classic from, you guessed it, Nike.

Ronaldo, Neymar, Rooney and er... The Incredible Hulk?

Nike - 'Take It To The Next Level'

Long before FIFA were pushing Alex Hunter and 'The Journey' was this terrific tale from Nike.

We're not sure what Arsene Wenger was doing on a non-league touchline, but it started a rapid rise for our protagonist, who gets picked up byArsenal after scoring a last-gasp free-kick.

We follow a quick-fire story through the highs and lows of professional football, from being mocked by Cristiano Ronaldo, to going toe-to-toe with Ronaldinho's Barcelona, alongside some vomit-inducing training sessions.

The story finishes on the big stage, as our (apparently Dutch) hero meets Ronaldo once again as the Netherlands take on Portugal.

In the final seconds, a free-kick is awarded, in an eerily similar position to the one from the opening scene. Wesley Sneijder hands over the honours and BANG.

Take that, Cristiano, you little winker.