Pepsi has turned to football super stars of past and present in a new campaign to celebrate footballing excellence entitled Refresh the Game.

Created by Copa90 and acclaimed director Nicole Ackermann of Merman and Rascal, the campaign brings together footballing all-stars from across generations, clubs and countries to refresh some of the most memorable football moments of the past 50 years.

Notably, the campaign spotlights world-class female talent, Alexia Putellas, Lauren James, Caroline Graham Hansen, Farah Jefry and Leah Williamson, who are smashing stereotypes and injecting new life into the sport.

With the Women’s Euros fast approaching, the campaign capitalises on the cultural currency of the women’s game as Pesi commits to supporting its future growth while paying homage to the past. With record-breaking viewership, women’s football is becoming the fastest-growing sport in the world. The spot shows how, on and off the pitch, fresh talent is changing the game. 

The dynamic, fast-paced spot brings together past and present stars, merging them together in iconic, memorable Pepsi footballing moments from the past. The film opens with Putellas, James, Graham Hansen and Jefry in a press conference  before they are transported to famous scenes. 

First is Putellas with Pelé in the 1974 film Join the Pepsi Generation. Pelé delivers a precision pass as Putellas rainbow flicks the ball over a defender. Ronaldinho and Caroline Graham Hansen are in Pepsi’s 2005 Surfers film as they both defy gravity, exchanging passes across the waves. Leah Williamson delivers a beach volley to a Pepsi cooler as Alexia Putellas grabs a refreshing can. 

Footballing legend, David Beckham is seen standing in a wild west saloon, a reprise of the brand’s 2003 Wild West. Lauren James joins Jefry outside for a cheeky nutmeg before grabbing a can of Pepsi. 

The film concludes with the ambassadors back in the present day. 

Combining CG elements with dynamic action sequences and precise compositing, the campaign embeds the modern players within archival moments. 

Advanced CG previs, AI upscaling, and cutting-edge VFX including digital matte painting and 2D enhancements, reimagine Pepi’s iconic footage in a way that feels modern and dynamic.

"This unprecedented crossover—uniting legends with today’s icons—showcases the power of technology and innovation in modern storytelling,” says Cathy Graham Kidd, Senior Marketing Director at Pepsi.

Each legacy moment was approached individually to ensure that technology and storytelling could combine to bring a fresh perspective to the game. 

She continues: “By using carefully selected archival footage, brought to life through intricate technology and advanced post-production, we were able to transport audiences from the past to the present in a way that feels seamless and intentional. Each legacy moment was reinterpreted through a fresh lens, allowing us to celebrate the history of the game while pushing creative boundaries. It’s a bold reimagining of what a football film can be—nostalgic, modern, and uniquely Pepsi.’’ 

The campaign celebrates the iconic personalities of football, championing icons of the game around the world - from globally renowned talent to local rising stars, including: Signe Bruun and Josefine Hasbo (Denmark), Nadine Riesen and Riola Xhemaili (Switzerland), Jéssica Silva and Tatiana Pinto (Portugal), Stina Blackstenius (Sweden) and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Sweden) - who will make cameo appearances in Refresh the Game across screens in market. 

The upbeat campaign combines the past and the future to show how far the game has come, embodying Pepsi’s spirit of innovation and longstanding commitment to the game.