THE 2016 PEPSI® FOOTBALL ROSTER INTRODUCES BLUE CARD TO THE GLOBAL GAME

Continuing its longstanding history of fueling football passion around the world, Pepsi® announced its 2016 global roster of all-star players today. The Pepsi team, uniting thrilling international talent from top clubs, will spark excitement throughout the year with a new integrated global campaign, the Pepsi Blue Card (#BlueCard). 

The Pepsi lineup of superstars includes Argentinian striker Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Colombian phenom James Rodríguez (Real Madrid), Belgian team captain Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Chilean leading scorer Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) and Spanish goalkeeper great David de Gea (Manchester United). 

The 2016 global Pepsi football team will be featured in a variety of integrated campaign elements, anchored by a global television commercial released today. Bringing to life the Pepsi Blue Card, an unsuspecting pair of delivery drivers get the surprise of a lifetime as a pickup game with members of the Pepsi team breaks out in the most unexpected fashion.

“With the introduction of The Pepsi Blue Card, the iconic brand will bring football excitement, experiences and unexpected moments of fun right to fans in the region,” said Hossam Dabbous, Vice President, Beverages Category, PepsiCo, Middle East and North Africa. “Pepsi has a long standing relationship with football globally and in the MENA region. This is the perfect kick start to the exciting year ahead for the brand.”  

The integrated effort includes a complementary app available for free download on the Apple App and Google Play stores soon. Fans can look out for unexpected and surprise fan engagement activities, exciting competitions, exclusive football merchandise such as cheering kits,  football unique Pepsi packaging, digital and social content, out of home and point of sale rolling out in the MENA region throughout the year. 

The 2016 program builds off an exciting win: PepsiCo’s flagship brands Pepsi, Lay’s and Gatorade have joined forces with the prestigious European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, as an official sponsor. The UEFA Champions League Final is the world’s most watched annual sporting event. The 2015 final was aired in more than 200 countries, reaching an estimated 400 million viewers, with an anticipated average live match viewership of 180 million. 

Player Statements:

Sergio Agüero (Manchester City): “I am excited to be partnering with Pepsi once again, and thrilled to have been selected as a member of the 2016 global team of footballers. I am looking forward to teaming up with Vincent, James, Alexis and David throughout the year to bring fun, unexpected opportunities to football fans around the world.”

James Rodríguez (Real Madrid): “I’m proud to be a part of the Pepsi global roster of footballers in 2016. It was a great experience working with the brand last year, and I am looking forward to teaming up with this year’s Pepsi team to bring unexpected, exciting opportunities to football fans around the world.”

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City): “It’s an honor to partner with Pepsi once again. This campaign is all about fun and a little bit of craziness that you can add to a moment. When you take out the Pepsi Blue Card everything changes – I think we all need that in our days.”

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal): “Pepsi is one of the most recognizable brands associated with our great sport and it’s amazing to be a part of their global roster of footballers this year.” 

David de Gea (Manchester United): “I’m thrilled to join the Pepsi football team for the first time this year. I’ve always been excited to see what the brand brings to our sport and fans – on and off the pitch – and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”