Messi, Pogba and Martens race for chips in new Lay’s Champions League commercial

Soccer stars Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba and Lieke Martens feature in a new Lay’s commercial for the Champions League and will appear on special-edition bags of chips.

The Champions League anthem is one of soccer’s most iconic sounds. The soaring hymn soundtracks some of the game’s most iconic moments, as excitement builds for the biggest games of the season.

A new Lay’s commercial, however, proposes that there’s one sound that can interrupt the Champions League anthem and break soccer fans (and players) from that pre-match anticipation: opening a bag of chips.

In the ad, Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba are shaking hands, set to kick off when a fan rips open a bag of Lay’s. The sound distracts the entire stadium, starting a rush to get a hold of the chips. Pogba does a little dancing, Messi hangs from a skycam and Lieke Martens, the 2017 FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, jumps out of a commentary booth to try to get in on the chase.

In a press release about the ad, Sebnem Erim, Vice President, Marketing, Global Foods, PepsiCo said: “We know that Lay’s and football are two things that always bring people together. This year, we wanted to step up the energy and demonstrate what could happen when a bag of Lay’s brings a whole stadium together at a UEFA Champions League match. This campaign brings Lay’s qualities to the forefront and highlights just how far people, even world-class footballers, will go to get their hands on the world’s most popular snack!”

The three stars will also appear on limited-edition bags of Lay’s. Our take on how they did at pairing players with chip varieties? Pretty good. Messi as “classic” – of course; undisputed greatness. Martens as “salt & vinegar” – some don’t get it but those who are paying attention know it’s elite. Pogba as “sour cream & onion” – something different, with some flair, that isn’t for everyone, but is one of the best.