Ronaldo Out Too … Curse Of The Nike Advert?!

No doubt you have seen the flashy Nike advert on the telly during the World Cup. Entitled ‘Write the future’, it imagines the future in the event of success or failure for a number of players.

For example, Wayne Rooney gives the ball away in the last minute and is pictured living in a trailer park, sporting a dirty vest and a bushy beard. But Rooney chases back and executes a perfect tackle. Footage changes - meeting with The Queen, and a hospital ward full of babies called Wayne.

It’s all good fun, but to Nike’s horror the stars of the advert have one-by-one seen their tournament cut short. Here’s a look

Ronaldinho started the rot by not even getting in the Brazilian squad, although he has probably enjoyed the tournament more than most, lazing on the beach hooked up to some fresh brew.

Didier Drogba broke his arm in a warm-up game, and struggled through a fruitless campaign for Ivory Coast who were knocked out at the group stage.

Franck Ribery was meant to be France’s talisman, but played a leading role in the incredible mutiny that consumed Les Bleus; appearing on the TV to claim he was not a trouble-maker on minute, refusing to train the next. He went home early.

Fabio Cannavaro looked a shell of his former self, was humiliated by New Zealand and Slovakia and led his Italy side to a humiliating first-round exit.

Rooney wore a mask, played like a disinterested Premier League cash-loathed star, unknown on the pitch mostly. So much for the hype! Maybe he secretly fancied living in a caravan eating cold beans.

And now the last man standing, Cristiano Ronaldo, is out after his Portugal side lost to Spain - the third time in four matches they had failed to score.

Ronaldo’s failure may not have been as spectacular as the others, but he clearly failed to live up to his billing. He ended the game an isolated figure, aiming baffled shrugs in Carlos Queiroz’s direction as the coach sat on his hands while time ticked down.

I don’t have a problem with the advert, really, but it is always nice to see overhyped stars backed by a multi-billion dollar corporation fall flat on their faces.

Although the commercial is light-hearted, it encourages players to think about the rewards of victory before they have achieved it.

If Roger Federer, spanked at table tennis by Rooney in the Nike spot, fails to win Wimbledon, we’ll know there really is a curse.