Pele vs Sweden

1958 Final

Pelé was only 17 in the 1958 World Cup final, yet he played with a confidence of a veteran.

He scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 win over Sweden, including a brilliant goal in which he flicked the ball over a defender and finished calmly. What makes the performance so iconic is not just the goals, but the fact he was able to do it on the biggest stage without fear. The teenage forward announced himself to the world and delivered Brazil’s first world title in spectacular fashion.

1966 Quarter-final

Portugal looked finished when North Korea surged into a 3-0 lead in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals, but Mozambican-born Eusebio responded with one of the great rescue acts in the history of the global finals. He scored four times as Portugal roared back to win 5-3, blending power, intelligence and ruthless finishing. Eusebio dragged his team back into the match almost single-handedly and showed his ability to change a game on his own through his sheer quality.

Diego Maradona vs England

1986 Quarter-final

Maradona’s display against England is probably the most famous individual World Cup performance ever. In one match, he produced two of the sport’s most memorable moments.

First, the controversial Hand of God’ opener that was a clear cheat, and then extraordinary solo run later named the Goal of the Century and with good reason. Beyond those moments, he controlled the tempo, carried Argentina forward under pressure, and looked like the game’s most potent start to finish. It was genius and chaos all in one brilliant, controversial performance.

@the.goatxx

Garrincha vs Chile

1962 Semi-final

With Pelé injured for much of the 1962 World Cup, Brazil needed someone to carry the attack, and Garrincha did exactly that. Against host nation Chile in the semi-finals, he was devastating with his direct, fearless and inventive dribbling that made him nearly impossible to stop in one-on-one situations. He scored twice and constantly destabilised the Chilean defence with his unpredictability. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone Brazil’s brilliance was not dependent on one superstar alone. It is also the reason why Garrincha is considered one of the greatest dribblers of all time.

Geoff Hurst vs West Germany

1966 Final

A hat-trick in a World Cup final has only happened twice in history, but Geoff Hurst’s performance in the 1966 final matters for more than the statistic alone. He was sharp, composed and decisive in the biggest match England have ever played. His second goal remains one of football’s most debated moments, and evidence now suggests it did not cross the line, while his third, struck late with England pouring forward, sealed the match. Finals are usually tense, cagey affairs, but Hurst shone in this setting and his goals delivered England their only title.

@footballworld9442

Paolo Rossi vs Brazil

1982 Second Group Stage

Brazil’s 1982 side is remembered as one of the most stylish teams ever, which is exactly why Paolo Rossi’s destruction of them deserves such praise. Italy needed a win, and Rossi delivered a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory that shattered one of football’s greatest romantically remembered teams. It was an excellent individual display that showed his predatory instincts and would help him win the Golden Boot, and the Golden Ball, at those finals as he scored six times in all, including the final win over West Germany. In one afternoon in the group stages, Rossi changed the whole narrative of that World Cup.

Oleg Salenko vs Cameroon

1994 Group Stage

Oleg Salenko’s place on this list comes from a statistical achievement so extreme it still seems almost impossible as he scored five goals in a single World Cup match. Against Cameroon, he finished clinically again and again as Russia won 6-1, setting a record that still stands in the men’s tournament. Three of his goals came in the first half, including a penalty, and he then added two more in three second half minutes. With some real minnows in the 2026 tournament, could we see this record matched lor even beaten?

Ronaldo vs Germany

2002 Final

The Brazilian Ronaldo’s two goals in the 2002 final were historic not just because they won the trophy, but because they completed one of football’s great redemption stories. Four years earlier in France, his World Cup final had ended in disappointment. After serious knee injuries threatened his career, he returned to lead Brazil again and scored both goals against Germany. He was sharp, alert and predatory, especially on the rebound for his first. The performance gave Brazil the title and gave Ronaldo back his reputation as one of the greatest strikers to have ever lived.

@evcrlqre

Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil

2006 Quarter-final

This was not a hat-trick performance or a statistical anomaly, but rarely has there ever been a player to so completely control a game on such a big stage.

Against a Brazil team packed with star names, France’s Zinedine Zidane dictated the game with his incredible technical ability. Every touch seemed to slow defenders down and open space for France. He drifted between midfield and attack, repeatedly escaping pressure and creating danger, including the free-kick that led to Thierry Henry’s winner. He was simply unbeatable that day.

Kylian Mbappe vs Argentina

2022 Final

He might have ultimately ended up on the losing side, but Kylian Mappé’s (below) final was an astonishing individual performance as he became the second player after Hurst to score a hat-trick in the showpiece decider. For long stretches France were flat and second-best, then Mbappe exploded into the game and changed everything. He scored twice in quick succession, one from the penalty-spot, to force extra-time, then completed a hat-trick to send the game to penalties. He scored in the shoot-out, but it was not meant to be for France, who fell

Words: Nick Said

Images: IBL/Shutterstock/Hulton Archive/VCG/Getty/Gallo Images

The post World Cup Magic: The 10 best individual displays over the years appeared first on TFG Media.

Pele (Brazil)

In many people’s eyes, Pelé (left) was the greatest player ever, but while that debate can rage on, there is no doubt he has been the most impactful in World Cup history.

He is the only player to win three men’s World Cups, helping Brazil to the titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He also scored 12 World Cup goals, which lists him among the top scorers in tournament history. To have lifted the trophy 12 years apart is also a great achievement and shows his longevity, though his title in 1958 did come as a 17-year-old.

He passed away in 2022 at the age of 82.

@allaboutfoodball

Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Another contender for the greatest player ever, Maradona certainly left his mark on the World Cup, for good and bad. His 1986 title triumph with Argentina sums up his career perfectly. He was sublime, a master, and led his team to the trophy with scintillating performances, goals and assists. But there was also the infamous Hand of God goal against England in the quarter-finals that was a clear cheat. In the same game, he scored one of the great goals in World Cup history.

He took Argentina to the final again in 1990, where they lost to West Germany and at the 1994 tournament was banned for drug use. He was, in every sense, a flawed genius.

Zinedine Zidane (France)

Zidane (right) was central to France’s 1998 final win on home soil and managed two headed goals in the final against Brazil. But arguably his best performance came in 2006 in a final that ended in bitter disappointment for him when he was sent off for an infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi and France lost on penalties to Italy. His performance against Brazil in the quarter-finals is regarded as among the best in World Cup history and he won the Golden Ball that year despite his final meltdown. A simply sublime midfielder who you felt could do anything with the ball.

Garrincha (Brazil)

Young Pelé might have dominated many of the headlines during Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup wins, but there was an equally influential player at both those tournaments in winger Garrincha. He had incredible dribbling skills, perhaps the best of all time, and would bamboozle defences, scoring goals and laying on assists for others.

Pelé was actually injured for part of the 1962 tournament and Garrincha took over as Brazil’s main man.

Amazingly, Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé. Garrincha died in 1983 aged just 49, having succumbed to alcoholism.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi’s (below) World Cup story is not complete as he hopes to take Argentina to back-to-back titles in 2026 after being central to their success in Qatar four years ago. He won the Golden Ball at that tournament, as he did in 2014 when he took Argentina to the final, but they lost again to the Germans.

He owns the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 and will play at his sixth finals in 2026, having debuted 20 years ago in Germany.

@zoeimmigration

Johan Cruyff (Nethelands)

Cruyff played in only one World Cup, in 1974, and did not manage to lift the trophy, but the mark he left on the tournament and global football as a whole enhanced his legend status and made him one of the most influential players of all time. The Dutch legend created an astonishing 36 chances in the tournament, the most ever by any player, and his style of play within the Netherlands’ ‘Total Football’ changed the way many people saw the game. West Germany came from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the final, with Müller netting the winning goal. He died after a battle with cancer aged 68 in 2016.

@goalglobal

Paolo Rossi (Italy)

Rossi completely owned the 1982 World Cup as his six goals helped Italy to the title in the tournament played in Spain. He became one of a select group of players to win the Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Ball (best player) and World Cup trophy, and later that year claimed the Ballon d’Or as well.

It was a truly dominant display, but he had also scored three goals at the 1978 tournament to take his career tally at World Cups to nine.

@retro.calcio

Gerd Muller (West Germany)

Müller was one of the most efficient World Cup scorers ever, with 14 goals in just 13 appearances, which sets him apart from many strikers. He scored 10 goals at the 1970 finals, before helping Germany lift the title four years later.

Fellow German Miroslav Klose is the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with 18 goals from 24 appearances, but Müller had a better conversion rate and on his day was deadly. There have been few others more clinical in front of goal.

He died aged 71 in 2021, having scored 68 goals in 62 caps for West Germany.

Ronaldo (Brazil)

Somewhat controversially, we have chosen the ‘original Ronaldo’ from Brazil – R9 – rather than his Portuguese namesake Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. The Brazilian played a huge part in leading his side to the 2002 title in Japan and South Korea, where he scored eight goals and was undoubtedly the leading forward in the world at the time. Four years earlier he helped Brazil to the 1998 final, and played despite not being fit as they lost 3-0 to France. He is second on the all-time World Cup scorers chart with 15 goals and won the Golden Ball in 1998.

@somosfutbol24

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

Beckenbauer (left) won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, one of only three men, alongside Mário Zagallo (Brazil) and Didier Deschamps (France), to do so. His first tournament as a player ended in disappointment when West Germany lost the 1966 final to England, though he was named young player of the tournament that year.

The Germans were undone by the great Brazilian side in 1970, but Beckenbauer finally captained his side to the title in 1974. He later coached West Germany to the title in 1990.

He is regarded as among the greatest defenders ever to play the game and passed away aged 78 in 2024.

[Check out this video of AI choosing the best players over the years]

Words: Nick Said

Photography: Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/BackPagePix/Getty Images

Text courtesy of Soccer Club magazine.

The post Top 10 most impactful players at the World Cup over the years appeared first on TFG Media.

Ronwen Williams  

Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

Williams is the captain of the team and the last line of defence. One thing that is for sure, is that Williams is likely to be a busy man. He has proven before at major finals that he can carry Bafana Bafana through, and he will have to be at his best again. But more than a great shot-stopper, he is also the leader and the one who organises the defence. He will join the likes of Hans Vonk, Andre Arendse and Itumeleng Khune as the first-choice keeper for Bafana at a World Cup. 

@caf_online Ronwen Williams has become the first goalkeeper to save 4 penalties in a single TotalEnergies AFCON shootout. 🤯🇿🇦 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #AFCON #SportsOnTikTok ♬ original sound – CAF_Online

Khuliso Mudau  

Position: Right-back
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

Mudau is now vastly experienced after his exploits with the national team and Mamelodi Sundowns in Champions League football, and remains a key weapon for the team. He can attack as a wing-back, but is also a very intelligent defender and, against teams that use quick attackers with plenty of skill, he will need to keep his flank quiet. But he also has the ability to create and score goals and loves to get forward. 

@caf_online Khuliso Mudau’s footwork takes QNet_Official #SkillOfTheDay. ✨ #TotalEnergiesCAFCL ♬ original sound – CAF_Online

Mbekezile Mbokazi  

Position: Centre-back
Club: Chicago Fire, United States 

Mbokazi has had such a meteoric rise in both club and international football that it is easy to forget he only really broke into the Orlando Pirates first team in March last year. But once he earned his place, he never let go of it and, within months, was elevated to the Bafana side, where he has also became a regular. Coach Hugo Broos suggested they had been looking for a player of his physicality and quality for some time. He is primarily a defender, but also has an excellent passing range and a rocket shot. His recent move to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer has exposed him to different styles and, if he does have a solid World Cup, the 20-year-old’s value will only skyrocket. 

@chicagofireWhat a strike from TLB 🇿🇦🔥 #mls #chicago #bafanabafana #soccer #southafrica♬ original sound – Chicago Fire

Teboho Mokoena  

Position: Midfielder
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

The engine of the Bafana midfield, Mokoena is like a Rolls-Royce with his high work-rate from box to box and his importance as both an attacking and defensive threat in the side. He scores spectacular goals and is dangerous from range, but can also break up the opposition’s play and be a physical threat in the centre of the park. He now has vast experience, having spent the better part of a decade in the national team, and is also a key player for Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Relebohile Mofokeng  

Position: Winger/attacking midfielder
Club: Orlando Pirates 

If he can stay fit, Themba Zwane could well get the nod as the starting ’10’ in the team because of his experience, but do not discount the impact of Mofokeng when given the opportunity either from kick-off or as an impact player off the bench. Broos has already said he does not see the player as a winger, where he has spent most of his career but rather as a creative force behind the striker, able to provide chances but also score goals. There has long been talk that Mofokeng should be playing overseas; this World Cup will be a chance to test that theory. 

@bucs.lad 😂🏴‍☠️🔥#relebohilemofokeng ♬ Salary Salary – Robot Boii & Mellow & Sleazy & Soul Revolver

Oswin Appollis  

Position: Winger
Club: Orlando Pirates 

Appollis has emerged as Bafana’s most potent attacking weapon over the last 18 months, with no player managing more than the seven goals he has scored during that time. He has also provided several assists with his trickery on the ball and quality in the cross. He can beat a defender and has an end product in the final third that is missing from so many other players in the Premier Soccer League. He is still only 24, so this will be a big audition for him. 

Lyle Foster  

Position: Striker
Club: Burnley, England 

Foster will almost certainly be the lead striker in the squad and be asked to play up front on his own, using his hold-up play to bring others into the game. It is a role he plays very well, even if at Burnley in the Premier League he is used more as a wide attacker. He is into double figures for goals for the national team and is a good finisher, having learnt a lot from his time in France, Portugal and Belgium before moving to England. He was a prodigious talent as a youngster and is now playing in arguably the best league in the world. This tournament is a chance for him to show he has gone to a new level. 

Words: Nic Said
Photography: Gerhaad Durbaan/Muzi Ntombela/Samuel Shivambu/ Richard Sellers/Backpagepix 

Also read: Banyana Banyana: Top 10 players over the years

The post A look at standout Bafana Bafana players appeared first on TFG Media.

Portia Modise  

Modise stands as one of the most iconic figures in African football history, not just for Banyana Banyana. She became the first African woman to score 100 international goals and carried Banyana through periods when the team lacked resources and truly struggled. She finished with 101 goals in 124 caps between 2000 and 2015, and she goes down as comfortably the country’s greatest international scorer in men’s and women’s football. 

Janine Van Wyk  

If Modise fired the imagination, then Van Wyk anchored the team with steel and longevity. As Africa’s most-capped footballer, men or women, Van Wyk became synonymous with Banyana’s defensive identity in her 185 appearances over almost two decades. Her game-reading ability and organizational skills turned her into the natural leader of the back line. She represented Banyana at multiple AFCON tournaments and two World Cups, while also founding JVW FC, a club that develops young talent.   

Thembi Kgatlane  

Kgatlana represents the explosive new era of South African women’s football with her raw pace and increasingly cultured finishing ability. A forward blessed with unique flair, she has become one of Africa’s most recognisable attacking talents and won the CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year prize in 2018. Kgatlana scored South Africa’s first Women’s World Cup goal against Spain in 2019 and her standout performances at the 2023 World Cup, where she created and finished crucial chances, cemented her status as Banyana’s modern superstar. 

Jermaine Seoposenwe  

Seoposenwe was one of Banyana’s most impactful attackers. Powerful, technically gifted and capable of scoring in high-pressure moments, she delivered one of the most important goals in South African football history, the winner against Italy at the 2023 World Cup that sent Banyana into the round of 16. Her relentless work rate, intelligent movement and ability to combine with teammates make her a constant threat across the forward line and a central figure in the team’s modern success before her retirement with 112 caps last year. 

@pefmo_za “We haven’t thanked her enough as a nation.” Coach Desiree Ellis showers Jermaine Seoposenwe with love ahead of the WAFCON 3rd place clash 💛 When others crumbled, she stood tall. When hope faded, she led the way. #BanyanaBanyana #WAFCON #JermaineSeoposenwe #DesireeEllis #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 @Official Banyana Banyana @SAFA @Banyana_banyana @CAF_Online ♬ original sound – PEFMO

Lebogang Ramalepe 

Ramalepe quietly built a reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable defenders. Her consistency, intelligent positioning and fearless tackling made her irreplaceable for Banyana across the past decade. Ramalepe shone during the 2022 WAFCON-winning run, delivering commanding performances against top opposition. She carried that form into the 2023 World Cup, where her discipline and leadership were crucial in South Africa’s historic progression to the knockout stage. 

Desiree Ellis 

Before she became the most successful coach in South African football history, Desiree Ellis was a pioneer midfielder during the national team’s early years. As captain, she shaped Banyana’s identity in the 1990s, helping establish their competitive and foundations for success. But her second act as coach elevated her into true legend status. Ellis guided Banyana to their first WAFCON title in 2022 and their first Women’s World Cup knockout appearance in 2023, showcasing her strategic brilliance and inspirational leadership that she displayed as a player too. 

Refiloe Jane 

Jane has long been the midfield metronome of Banyana Banyana, a player whose intelligence and calm presence binds the team together. Her exceptional passing range, tactical awareness and leadership made her central to South Africa’s historic WAFCON 2022 triumph. Jane’s influence stretches across continents, having excelled at club level in Australia and Italy. Often described as the heartbeat of the side, she adds structure, balance and control, and is also the current captain of the team. 

 

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Noko Matlou  

Few players have reinvented themselves as effectively as Matlou. Originally a prolific striker, and the 2008 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Matlou later transitioned into a commanding centre-back. Her aerial strength and pace allowed her to excel in both roles, while remaining a constant presence for Banyana. Her versatility and longevity make her one of the team’s most respected figures. She retired last year with 174 caps, just short of Van Wyk’s record. 

Amanda Dlamini  

A hard-working midfielder who won 105 caps over an 11-year period until her retirement in 2018, Dlamini was part of the generation that laid the foundation for the current success of the side. Her experience and calmness on the ball elevated her to captain of the team and she appeared at Olympic Games and WAFCON but retired just before Banyana qualified for a World Cup for the first time. 

@supersportofficial How important is a jersey number in sports? 🤔💭 Amanda Dlamini, Lerato Phago and Smash Hadebe get real about self-identity and purpose in sport ⚽📺 #SportsonTikTok #SuperSportUnplugged #AmandaDlamini #LeratoPhago #SmashHadebe #HereForHer #WomenInSports ♬ original sound – SuperSportTV

Andile Dlamini   

Dlamini has emerged as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers. Her agility, sharp reflexes and vocal leadership were central to South Africa’s triumph at WAFCON 2022, where she produced several match-winning saves. Dlamini also excelled at the 2023 World Cup, keeping Banyana competitive against world-class opposition. Beyond her performances, her bubbly personality and presence in the dressing room have made her a unifying force, offering confidence and composure from the back. 

Words by: Nick Said 
Photography: Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix

Also read: Alcaraz vs Sinner: Battle moves onto clay in Paris
 

The post Banyana Banyana: Top 10 players over the years appeared first on TFG Media.

With a sporting career spanning 14 years, numerous nail-biting moments on the field and injuries that were sure to bench him, Keagan Buchanan has proven that his love of the game runs deep. One look at his social media pages, though, will tell you that off the field his interests take on a slightly different, more fashionable direction.

He’s well-known for his individual and impeccable fashion sense, for designing his own clothing and getting tailors to make the garments. Now he’s launched his own brand of luxury athleisure wear, Nine One.

Dressed in his comfiest sweater set following our cover shoot, with the delicious smell of coffee wafting all around, Keagan wastes no time in discussing everything that inspires him about entering the world of fashion. No prompting or prepared questions are required as he talks with passion and enthusiasm.

As a young boy living in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Keagan says his very first inspiration was singer Pharrell Williams. “The reason I have tattoos is because of Pharrell!”  

It’s Pharrell’s journey from artist to producer and eventual fashion mogul as creative director at Louis Vuitton that inspires Keagan, and he hopes that one day he can follow a similar path.  

“If I weren’t a footballer I’d be doing exactly what I’m doing now. In Grade 11 I did my job shadowing at ad agency! Ogilvy and so l always knew that I would be doing something in the creative space. I think I always knew that my path would lead me here.” 

A self-proclaimed perfectionist, he is involved in every aspect of his fashion label, from styling the photo shoots and editing images to curating lookbooks. 

“Normally, from 12 to 3 o’clock at night l’m just sitting and designing. I’m doing mock-ups or looking for inspiration for what I want to do, and trying to design stuff for the T-shirts that’s not taking someone else’s ideas.” 

Taking on adversity

Fellow soccer player Kamohelo Mokotjo may have coined the name ‘The Fixer’ for Keagan, but his story of resilience and drive proves that he should be called The Fighter’ instead. Fighting for every opportunity and proving his naysayers wrong is something Keagan is accustomed to. 

Having suffered three ACL injuries (one of the key ligaments that stabilise the knee join), he’s proven to critics that with determination and hard work he could recover and return to the game he loves so much each and every time. 

The best advice Keagan received was from his father following his very first ACL injury while playing for Bloemfontein Celtic. He was encouraged to work hard, rise above the setback and concentrate on what comes next.

“I think my dad was just trying to say to me that this has happened and there’s nothing you can do to change it – you need to accept this and think of how you can come back better and think of how you can turn this negative into a positive. Many players do not come back from this injury, Not a lot of players can do it, and so I’ve always implemented that advice in my life.” 

Describing the highlight of his career, Keagan immediately recalls the Celtics versus Mamelodi Sundowns game in 2015. “Sundowns at the time had a star-studded team and no one gave us a chance. We were a top-six team, but not on the level of Sundowns and Chiefs at that time – and we beat them 5-0! I had two assists and received Man of the Match. It’s such an important memory for me because I had come from my first ACL surgery, and it was such a sweet moment for me.” 

Keagan has proven time and time again that he is able to get back up, no matter the challenge. Following his third ACL injury, many thought that this was it for his career. Critics and fans wrote him off and yet this only fueled his determination. 

“People were saying on Twitter that it’s unlucky, and that just motivated me to prove them wrong. I hsad the best season of my career at Maritzburg United. That season I came back…I was flying!” 

Always looking to find the silver lining is intrinsically tied to faith for Keagan. “Everything happens for a reason, and whatever’s happening is going to shape me to take me where l’m supposed to go. You have to be grateful for the small blessings, but also know that nothing is going to be smooth.”

Staying grounded is important too. “I tell people all the time that I’m just a normal person. I just kick a ball for living – that doesn’t make me special. We are both human beings. There’s no difference between you and I.” 

Also read: Marc Buckner: The man behind the roses

What’s next? 

While Keagan has been concentrating on his passion for fashion, he reassures us that he isn’t ready to hang up his soccer boots just yet. The game is still his first love. “I just want to enjoy my football. I want to remain injury free and to play consistently. I want to be happy and content and just enjoy myself on the field.”

Having lived all over the country since beginning his soccer career at 15 years old, he’s ready to settle down in Cape Town with his wife Cleo and baby boy. When asked to describe himself, he simply says “husband, father and footballer” (in that order). 

Fast facts

Age: 34

DOB: 3 April 1994

Position: Midfielder

Languages: English, IsiZulu, isiXhosa

Current team: Cape Town Spurs

Secret talent: Cooking the best crayfish potjie 

Visit the website to see his collection: nineoneclo.com
Instagram: @keagzxbuchanan / @nineoneclo

By: Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photography by: Zhann Solomons 

The post Keagan Buchanan: Stylin’ with a soccer star  appeared first on TFG Media.

Throughout the year, PUMA ambassadors such as Neymar Jnr, Winnie Harlow, Antoine Griezmann, Pep Guardiola, Karsten Warholm, Mondo Duplantis, Usain Bolt, Cara Delevingne, Lamelo Ball, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Kyle Kuzma, Lewis Hamilton, Rickie Fowler, Virat Kohli and many others will offer their personal perspectives on striving for greatness during extraordinary times in a series of media interviews and content on PUMA’s digital channels.

The campaign idea was inspired by cultural icon, entrepreneur and philanthropist Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter who first said: ‘I only see great. I don’t see good. I don’t see compromise. We should always strive to make something great, something that will last.’

‘JAY originally shared these personal thoughts on greatness in one of our very first discussions around product design,’ said Adam Petrick, Global Director of Brand and Marketing at PUMA.

‘His quote so perfectly represented the message that we as a brand wanted to convey in this unique year of sporting events and cultural moments, such as the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

‘I think the message is about filtering out anything less than great, looking within and seeing something that no one else can see.’

JAY-Z’s comments summarise the message PUMA wants to convey in a year when the world is hoping to overcome the pandemic and is looking forward to big sport events, such as the Formula One World Championship series, the European Football Championships and, of course, the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

‘Only See Great’ will explore the career path of PUMA brand ambassadors, as they will talk about their own paths to striving for greatness, listening to their hearts, and finding a vision that no one else can see – despite the challenges the world has been through as a result of the global pandemic.

It will also explore the very idea of achieving greatness, what it means to struggle to do so, and how our perceptions of greatness have expanded over the last year.

The ‘Only See Great’ campaign will lay the foundation for multiple product launches over the course of the year, including key performance collections worn by athletes and federations at this summer’s Euro 2021, Copa America, and the Olympic Games.

Writer: Supplied/Sports Club | Images: Courtsey

The post PUMA launches JAY-Z inspired Only See Great campaign appeared first on TFG Media.