One Move Ignites Young Blaise Matuidi to Be Nike Football’s Newest Star

Kick off your week with an inspiring Nike soccer ad from Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam. Like Gatorade ads created a thirst to “Be Like Mike,” this new football (that’s soccer) spot feeds on the idea that as youngsters, we all looked up to sports superstars to “Spark Brilliance” or motivate us to train harder, practice longer, dig deeper. Except in this case, Mike is Jay-Jay Okocha, former footballer for Paris St. Germain and the young onlooker is Blaise Matuidi, current midfielder for none other than Paris St. Germain.

The ad takes viewers on Matuidi’s journey from his living room where he watched Okocha’s epic goal, through a progression of running, təlim, and finally, celebrating his success as a current soccer star and fashion icon, all to the tune of Earth, Wind, & Fire’s “Shining Star.” The upbeat, carnivalesque vibe of the spot emphasizes the love for play everpresent in Nike’s marketing.

Although this “Spark Brilliance” ad from Nike is much more enthusiastic, the 90-second spot is almost a mirror to W+K Portland’s “Ripple” commercial last year, featuring a young Rory McIlroy aspiring to someday play alongside his childhood idol, Tiger Woods. In the end, Matuidi is shown as a goal-scoring machine who, in turn, inspires another young fan, who we can assume will be soccer’s next hero—because it only takes one move to inspire a nation.

It’s Monday, and Nike wants to know, what ignites YOU?