Global sportswear brand adidas has released Backyard Legends, a new film ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, led by Academy Award-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet alongside a cast that includes Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Trinity Rodman.
The film follows Chalamet as he attempts to assemble a team to challenge a local crew — Clive, Ruthie, and Isaak — whose unbeaten streak on their neighborhood pitch has held across generations. The trio’s record is framed as having seen off 1990s players, including Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and Alessandro Del Piero, depicted through CGI and visual effects.
Additional appearances from Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz, and Santiago Gimenez feature in the film.
The production draws on 1990s street and terrace aesthetics — era-defining hairstyles, analog technology, and period styling — set against what the release describes as a nostalgic soundtrack.
“I used to dream of playing with these guys – you know, I was playing at Pier 40 as a kid, thinking about Beckham’s free kicks, Del Piero’s goals, and Zidane’s volleys – doing my own versions,” said Timothée Chalamet.
“I love this game, so it’s unbelievable to be doing this with adidas, captured with the best to ever do it. I’m a traditionalist, I don’t know soccer, I know football, and I can’t wait for this summer’s World Cup.”
“Everyone remembers that feeling: playing for the joy of it, no pressure, no expectations,” said Florian Alt, Vice President Global Brand Communications, adidas.
“With Backyard Legends, we celebrate that freedom. It’s a reminder that self-belief and playfulness are the real winning mindset. As our athletes and federations take to the biggest sporting stage this summer, we know that pressure is part of sport, we hear that directly from them. While we encourage competitiveness, our ambition is to inspire everyone, to disarm that pressure through playing free and believing, ‘You Got This.'”
