So, with the World Cup being in full flow now, but slightly disappointing in the lack of thrills so far, I had to bring up an interesting theoretical question. Which of the following teams, based on the showcase ads from the two big sports companies, is better?

I guess Team Adidas is at an immediate disadvantage because they don’t have a goalie. And they decided to give up on a defensive line and load up the midfield. Still, having Messi and Villa up front, supported by Kaká probably means they would control the ball and run away with it. And even though he is retired, Zidane would be awesome off the bench.

One thing there is no doubt about – Nike’s “Write the Future” is definitely the better ad by miles. And Messi is the most awesome, unselfish soccer player on the planet.

You know World Cup mania is approaching fever-pitch when the requisite Nike ad comes out. And the 2010 WorldCup edition is absolutely brilliant. Not only is the soccer imagery dazzling, it mixes in today’s soccer greats like Rooney and Ronaldo with non-soccer greats like Kobe, Federer and Homer Simpson(!). And the Facebook “like” button makes it in there as well.

Nike Write The Future from Wieden + Kennedy London on Vimeo.

Write The Future from Nalden on Vimeo.

The Wayne Rooney segment is just hilarious, but given the way our stock markets have been (mis)behaving recently, some of it hits a little too close to home. And it’s obvious that Nike couldn’t predict Ronaldinho not making the Brazilian squad, or they wouldn’t have featured him so prominently. I only wish Messi (the world’s greatest player right now, without doubt) were in the ad too. Oh, and as a Manchester United fan, I miss Ronaldo and I hate Ribery!

“Write the Future” indeed. I cannot wait for the World Cup to begin. Should be amazing.