Pepsi has brought together football legends from across generations, clubs and countries in a new star-studded, global campaign created by Copa90, including this “Refresh the Game” spot directed by Nicole Ackermann of Merman.
Refresh the Game rolls out globally across markets including the U.K., Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil. The campaign features today’s icons of football united with legends of the past, as they refresh Pepsi’s most memorable footballing moments over the past 50 years.
With record-breaking viewership and surging participation, women’s football is entering a new era in becoming the fastest growing sport on the planet and Pepsi is committed to strengthening its future. Its lineup of worldclass talent including Alexia Putellas, Lauren James, Caroline Graham Hansen, Farah Jefry and Leah Williamson who are rewriting the rules and shattering stereotypes. On and off the pitch, their jaw-dropping skills, dynamic personalities, and unapologetic flair are changing the game.
Refresh the Game opens with Putellas, James, Graham Hansen and Jefry in a press conference before they are transported to famous scenes of the past. First up, Putellas joins Pelé on the pitch with scenes from the 1974 film Join the Pepsi Generation. Pelé and Putellas unite— he delivers a precision pass, and she, with effortless brilliance, rainbow flicks the ball over the defender.
In an ode to Pepsi’s 2005 Surfers film the audience is transported into the iconic scene, where footballing legends Ronaldinho and Caroline Graham Hansen defy gravity effortlessly exchanging passes across the waves. Moments later, Leah Williamson arrives on the beach, delivering an epic volley toward a Pepsi cooler just as Putellas grabs a refreshing can of Pepsi, before the film concludes with the ambassadors back in the present day. Using CG elements, Ronaldinho’s close-up shot was studied in meticulous detail to enhance realism–right down to the water droplets.
The film cuts to David Beckham, standing in a wild west saloon, a reprise from 2003’s Wild West. Lauren James intercepts an ice-cold bottle of Pepsi as it slides across the counter before it reaches the former England international star. James then joins Jefry outside for a cheeky nutmeg before grabbing a can of Pepsi. CG dust elements, dynamic action sequences and precise compositing all came together with extensive previsualisation and planning to create a thrilling shot, ensuring the 2025 player was fully immersed in the archival environment.
Director Ackermann said, “I’m so excited to help create a space that not only gives women’s football the podium it deserves, but also amplifies its voice. I’m deeply passionate about elevating women’s narratives in sports and showcasing the transformative power of sport and how it empowers women from all walks of life.”
Gav Rowe, chief creative officer, Copa90, said, “Pepsi has historically set the bar with iconic football moments, shaping generations of football stardom through bold, unforgettable campaigns. This time, we wanted to go even further—uniting legends of the past with the icons redefining the women’s game today. It’s all about refreshing the game, so it made sense to take this next generation of players and place them at the heart of some of Pepsi’s most legendary ads–not just stepping into history but taking over and rewriting it.
“Through advanced CG previs, AI upscaling, and cutting-edge VFX—ranging from digital matte painting and 2D enhancements to expert color grading—we reimagined archival footage in a way that feels seamless, modern, and full of energy. Each legacy moment was approached as a creative sandbox, where technology and storytelling collided to transport fans from past to present, and bring a whole new perspective to the game. It’s a bold reimagining that captures Pepsi’s spirit of innovation and our ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries in football culture.”
