adidas brings ‘Backyard Legends’ to life with Chalamet, Bellingham, Yamal and Rodman

adidas has debuted Backyard Legends, a new film for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ that turns neighbourhood lore into a larger-than-life story, reminding athletes everywhere: You Got This.

Led by Academy Award-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, the film brings together an iconic cast including Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Trinity Rodman.

Set against a nostalgic soundtrack, 90s street and terrace style, analogue tech and era-defining hairstyles, the film blends cutting edge CGI and visual effects to bring to life a simple truth: the backyard is where pressure disappears and legends begin.

Because whether it’s a cage pitch, a parking lot, a patch of grass or the World Cup stage, the game belongs to those who play free.

Through Chalamet’s eyes, audiences are introduced to an unbeatable crew – even if some of them don’t see eye-to-eye in his car because they play for rival club teams – who encapsulate the freedom of playing football and have ruled their local pitch for decades.

Commenting on the campaign, Timothée Chalamet said, “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. 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.”

Chalamet sets out to assemble a team capable of taking on Clive, Ruthie and Isaak – the undefeated crew whose ‘win or go home’ streak has survived generations of challengers.

Their legend? So strong it has even seen off 90s icons such as Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Alessandro Del Piero.

Lionel Messi said, “My game was born in the backyard in my hometown Rosario. No pressure. Just freedom, joy, and constant experimentation. I wish every young kid playing the game could find that same environment, one that lets them enjoy football for what it is. Over the years, my pitch would change: the stadiums grew bigger, the pressure increased, but my approach to the game never did.”

Jude Bellingham said, “Playing with my friends formed me as the player I am today. At school or out on the street, my game was born on those pitches. The way I move the ball, take players on, control the ball, all started in the backyard. When I’m able to tap into that, I play at my best. And this summer, I’m bringing that to the biggest stage of all: the World Cup.”

Cameos from Balon D’or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz and Santiago Gimenez amplify the story, each adding to the lore around the unbeatable trio.

Pedri said, “As young kids, when we first start playing, we develop joy for the game, a joy that’s so important to protect as we grow up and throughout our careers. For me, that feeling began in the back part of my parents’ restaurant in Tenerife, losing track of time and simply loving the game. That feeling has never changed – and I’ll be bringing that energy to the World Cup this year for sure.

Dembélé added, “Forming me as the player I am today? It all happened playing football with my friends on the pitches of La Madeleine in Évreux. I remember those times playing in the backyard, in the streets, during the breaks at school scoring goals, trying to dribble past my best friend Moustapha. I’m taking these memories and my best game to the World Cup this year.”

Ahead of a huge summer of sport, adidas will be an unmissable part of world football’s pinnacle stage.

As Official Match Ball provider and kit supplier to 14 federations competing at FIFA World Cup 2026™, adidas is gearing up for an unforgettable tournament, showing up on the world’s biggest pitches and every backyard in between.

Florian Alt, Vice President Global Brand Communications at adidas, said, “Everyone remembers that feeling: playing for the joy of it, no pressure, no expectations. 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.”

Alt added, “While we encourage competitiveness, our ambition is to inspire everyone, to disarm that pressure through playing free and believing, ‘You Got This’. This is important for professional and grassroots players alike; in every sport, in every part of the world. The game isn’t defined by the stage, the crowd, or the cameras. It’s defined by those who play free, where everyone can create a legend.”

CREDITS:

LOLA

adidas

Production Partners

The Midnight Club