adidas presents Backyard Legends – a new manifesto film in which Timothée Chalamet joins Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Trinity Rodman, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Alessandro Del Piero in a story about football born on neighbourhood pitches and reaching the biggest stage in the world.

• Launched ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, the film celebrates the joy of free play and reminds fans around the world that any pitch – from the backyard to a World Cup final stadium can create a legend
• Built on adidas’ “You Got This” message, the campaign inspires athletes to play with freedom, courage and joy. The 5-minute film is available now on the official adidas YouTube channel

Herzogenaurach, 7 May 2026 adidas today launches Backyard Legends, the new film dedicated to FIFA World Cup 2026, which transforms the urban legends of neighbourhood football into a spectacular story about passion, freedom and self-belief. The central message is simple: You Got This.

Who is part of the film’s iconic cast?

At the heart of the campaign is Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, alongside an impressive cast featuring Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Trinity Rodman. Through Chalamet’s eyes, the audience discovers a legendary team of street players who have dominated the same pitch for decades and who embody the authentic spirit of football played out of pure enjoyment.

In the film, Chalamet tries to form a team capable of beating Clive, Ruthie and Isaak – the local trio that is almost impossible to defeat, whose rule is simple: “win or go home”. Their legend is so powerful that, over the years, they have even beaten the idols of the ’90s: Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Alessandro Del Piero.

“I dreamed of playing with these people. When I was a kid playing at Pier 40, I would think about Beckham’s free kicks, Del Piero’s goals or Zidane’s volley and try to recreate them in my own way. I love this game, so it’s incredible to be part of this adidas campaign, alongside some of the greatest players in history. I’m a traditionalist I don’t call it soccer, I call it football and I can’t wait for the World Cup this summer,” stated Timothée Chalamet.

The story is completed by special appearances from Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, as well as Raphinha, Pedri, Florian Wirtz and Santiago Gimenez, who contribute to building the myth around the invincible trio.

With an aesthetic inspired by the ’90s from streetwear style and terrace culture to analogue technology and the iconic hairstyles of the era Backyard Legends combines nostalgia with modern visual effects and CGI to convey a simple truth: legends are born where pressure disappears and the game becomes pure joy.

How does “You Got This” bring together past, present and future in Backyard Legends?

Whether it’s an improvised pitch between blocks of flats, a car park, a patch of grass or the FIFA World Cup stage, football belongs to those who play freely.

“We all remember that feeling: playing just for the joy of the game, without pressure and without expectations. Through Backyard Legends, we celebrate exactly this freedom. It’s a reminder that self-belief and a playful spirit represent the true champion mentality. We know that pressure is part of sport athletes tell us this constantly but through the You Got This message we want to inspire everyone to play with more freedom and courage. This message is just as important for professional athletes as it is for those just starting out, regardless of the sport or the corner of the world where they play,” stated Florian Alt, Vice President Global Brand Communications adidas.

“Football played alongside my friends shaped me as a player. At school or on the street, that’s where my game was built. The way I dribble, beat opponents or control the game it all started on the improvised pitches of childhood. When I manage to reconnect with that freedom, I play at my best level,” said Jude Bellingham.

Lionel Messi stated: “My game was born on the pitches of the neighbourhood where I grew up, in Rosario. No pressure. Just freedom, joy and the constant desire to try something new. I would wish for every child who plays football to have such an environment, where they can simply enjoy the game. Over the years, the pitches I played on became bigger and the pressure more intense, but the way I look at football has never changed.”

How will adidas be present at FIFA World Cup 2026?

Ahead of a summer dedicated to sport at the highest level, adidas consolidates its presence in world football as the official match ball supplier and kit partner for 14 federations participating in FIFA World Cup 2026.