At long last, the 2022 FIFA World Cup has arrived! Up until the final is played on 18 December, there will be 32 teams competing for the greatest prize in football, aiming to lift the iconic golden trophy. This inevitably inspires great interest and enthusiasm around the whole globe, as billions of excited fans tune in to watch the tournament hosted in Qatar.

But which teams and players will be celebrating victory? Making predictions is never easy, although leading bookmakers around the world are offering odds and promotions, plus a huge array of dedicated World Cup markets. All across the Asian region, the best options have been reviewed by Asiabet, whose experts provide information and advice in all the main languages, including online sports betting, known as tran cá cược bóng đá for Vietnamese punters.

One thing we can guarantee is that for those of us watching the World Cup, all of us will be the winners and not just because of the action taking place on the pitch. Whenever this magnificent event rolls around every four years, advertising companies are always at their most creative, assembling the biggest stars in the game for spectacular and unique promotional videos. These are some of the best, offered ahead of the 2022 tournament.

Adidas – The Impossible Rondo

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, this will be the last World Cup featuring Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, given the 35-year-old has confirmed he will retire from international football after the tournament. Back in 2014 he came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy, only for his national team to suffer a tense 1-0 defeat against Germany, when the competition was hosted in Brazil.

Cherishing what will be his fifth and final World Cup appearance, Adidas decided to focus entirely on the changing look of Messi and the Argentina shirt, made by the sportswear giant of course. Thanks to the brilliance of modern CGI effects, they have produced the “Impossible Rondo” with five versions of Messi, representing each time he has played at the World Cup, including the current 2022 tournament.

Nike – The Footballverse

Continuing the theme of using modern technology, Nike decided to put a science-fiction spin on their latest World Cup commercial, using a time machine to bring together some of the greatest football icons of past and present. The fictional experiment is intended to prove who is best – French star Kylian Mbappe or Brazilian wizard Ronandinho – producing the ultimate generational football battle.

But this dynamic duo aren’t the only ones who are transported through time, as other brilliant football players are transported through time. This includes confusion when different versions of “Ronaldo” suddenly appear, starting with Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário, who is then joined by two versions of Cristiano Ronaldo. The fun with this video comes from spotting the other cameo appearances, as aside from the various generations, both genders are represented.

Sports Direct – Christmas Trilogy

For the first time ever, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in the winter months of November and December, which gave Sports Direct the opportunity to make a humorous trilogy of seasonally themed commercials. Nothing is more seasonal than a festive Christmas lunch, albeit featuring Manchester United legend Eric ‘The King’ Cantona, wearing a paper crown. He is joined at the table by former Arsenal and French icon Thierry Henry, along with other special guests.

As the mini-series of adverts continue, several other football personalities appear. Cantona takes over smart home hum technology, as England stars Declan Rice and Mason Mount appear. Then the finger of fun is pointed at the habitual Christmas perfume ads, once again featuring Cantona, this time with Mount, both enjoying the special scent of a football boot! After all, nothing can beat that ‘Eau de Football’ fragrance.

Benjamin Blair

“Prone to fits of apathy. Introvert. Award-winning internet evangelist. Extreme beer expert.”