Following in the footsteps of fellow countryman and inspiration, Ronaldinho, Pepsi has announced Vinicius Jr., a star of Real Madrid and Brazil, as its newest global ambassador. The collection, made with Art of Football [AoF], pays homage to the brand’s early 00s football advertising.

Thanks to more than 20 years of memorable football ads, Pepsi and football have a long and nostalgic association. The most recent TV commercial, “Nutmeg Royale,” for instance, is a throwback to some of the brand’s most memorable TV spots from the early 2000s, in which a who’s who of global superstars, including Beckham, Henry, Totti, Roberto Carlos, and course, Ronaldinho, would run amok through train stations, medieval battlefields, and more. The commercial is replete with superstars, skills, and cameos. 

That was, of course, twenty years ago. To honor that time, Pepsi enlisted the help of the artistic team at Art of Football to produce a collection that coincidentally serves as the ideal platform for the introduction of Vinicius Jr. as the company’s newest global ambassador.

The Pepsi x [AoF] collection pays homage to Pepsi’s classic 00’s football strip, which made its debut 20 years ago. It is a continuation of the collection made with Golden Cabane last year. The collection’s co-branded accessories include a tote, bucket hat, and shoulder bag. A recreation of Pepsi’s early 2000s football jersey completes the look.

Those with an acute eye would have seen the new shirt in the “Nutmeg Royale” advertisement, which coincidentally featured the iconic Ronaldinho returning to the fight. One of the most exciting players in international football, Vincius Jr., is now stepping up to become Pepsi’s newest global brand ambassador with fellow countryman Lionel Messi. 

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