During the ’90s and early 2000s, some of the best football commercials ever were created. Brands like Pepsi and Nike made the most spectacular ones, followed closely by Adidas. But if we had to choose one, Pepsi undoubtedly made the most iconic ads.
One of these legendary commercials featured Manchester United and Real Madrid. The interesting part? The main star was David Beckham—wearing his famous number 7, but still playing for Manchester United. As we all know, shortly after, he would join Real Madrid.
The ad was set in the Wild West, with a cowboy-inspired aesthetic (a brilliant detail was their coats with names and numbers). The plot revolves around a “gunfight” duel, but instead of guns, it was all about football. After a dispute over a Pepsi between Beckham and Iker Casillas, they step outside to settle it with a penalty shootout.
On both sides, players from each team act as spectators. Representing United, we see Neville, Verón, Van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand, and Solskjaer. From Real Madrid, there’s Casillas, Raúl, Guti, Morientes, and Hierro. Even Rivaldo (then a Barcelona player) is shown in the background on a “Wanted” poster. And…the big surprise… who?
Roberto Carlos
The best part of the ad? Right before taking the penalty, Beckham whistles to distract everyone—and then lets his horse take the shot! The ball smashes through a window and lands inside a barbershop. Just as United’s players begin celebrating, someone storms out angrily… Roberto Carlos! And not just any Roberto Carlos—he appears with his head shaved, sporting a Mohawk-like stripe of shaving foam. He then dramatically removes his coat, signaling that things are about to get serious.
This scene had a double meaning. The ad was filmed in 2002, the same year Real Madrid won their ninth Champions League title, thanks to Zidane’s legendary volley. At that moment, Real Madrid was the king of football, but in terms of marketing and revenue, Manchester United still held the crown—at least until Florentino Pérez launched the Galácticos era with Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, and eventually Beckham himself, who signed for Real Madrid in 2003, just a year after this commercial.
Maybe Beckham switched teams because he was afraid of Roberto Carlos! Although he never won the Champions League with Madrid, he left a lasting legacy at the club. More than just a footballer, he elevated Real Madrid’s marketing and global reach, becoming the final piece of the Galácticos project. It wasn’t the most successful era in terms of trophies, but it remains one of the most unforgettable periods in Real Madrid’s history.