AXED England star Cole Palmer appears with World Cup aces in a £30million Nike commercial — in an awkward gaffe for the sportswear giant.
The Chelsea midfielder, 24, was picked to line-up with giants of the game including Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Vinicius Junior, Virgil van Dijk and Erling Haaland.
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Cole Palmer appears with World Cup aces in a £30million Nike commercial – despite being axed from the England squad Credit: Nike / You Tube
Erling Haaland takes a dramatic role in the advert Credit: Nike / You Tube
But while they all made their countries’ 26-man squads, Palmer was controversially left out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
The six-minute advert has been billed as a “brand reset” for Nike, which is forking out hundreds of millions on global TV spots and billboard takeovers in host cities in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The ad shows players who “Rip the Script” when they defy a director trying to stop them showcasing their skills.
Football icons including Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba and Eric Cantona have cameo roles — with actor Jason Sudeikis appearing as TV footie boss Ted Lasso.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is another football superstar to appear in Nike’s ad Credit: Nike / You Tube
French ace Kylian Mbappe in the big-money commercial Credit: Nike / You Tube
Hollywood glamour is added by the likes of actor Channing Tatum and reality star Kim Kardashian, who appears with her ten-year-old son Saint West.
Palmer, known for his “Cold Palmer” goal celebration, is seen in a white No 20 Three Lions shirt.
Nike is not the only firm sold a dummy by his omission from England’s squad.
Palmer heads a campaign for Sure deodorant, keeping his cool while taking high-pressure free-kicks. He is also shown putting an envelope in a sports locker to promote a competition for tickets.
A scene from the Nike World Cup advert Credit: Nike / You Tube
Virgil van Dijk also makes an appearance Credit: Nike / You Tube
One supporter wrote online: “Sure uses the tagline ‘Sure won’t let you down’. Sadly, he was.”
The brutal axing of Palmer has stunned England fans around the world.
One wrote on X: “Ruthless Tuchel.
“But Palmer and [Phil] Foden have been off this season.
Actor Jason Sudeikis appearing as TV footie boss Ted Lasso Credit: Nike / You Tube
Eric Cantona also pops up in the TV ad Credit: Nike / You Tube
“[Eberechi] Eze and [Morgan] Rogers as the attacking midfielders ain’t bad either.”
Another said: “You can’t be serious, you just can’t be.”
