The club’s kit launch film directed by Glenn Kitson sees all sorts of hidden talents emerge from Haaland, Foden and Akanji
Still from Man City's 2025-2026 kit launch film featuring Phil Foden on stage holding a figure of a football made out of balloons
Still from Man City's 2025-2026 kit launch film featuring Phil Foden on stage holding a figure of a football made out of balloons
Ever wondered what elite footballers get up to in their spare time? If Manchester City’s new Puma home kit launch film is anything to go by, it seems that Erling Haaland is a budding stage singer, and Phil Foden has been quietly nurturing a passion for making balloon models.
Created by ad agency Laced, the film is set in the Clayton Official Supporters Club near the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s home ground. In the film, the venue is transformed into a talent show hosted by John Thompson, best known for The Fast Show and Cold Feet, in which the club’s star players display some of their less widely known talents.
It’s set to the sounds of a Northern Soul classic, Here I Go Again by Archie Bell and The Drells, driving home the joyful vibe whipped up by director Glenn Kitson. “I feel they fully understand the need to represent Manchester beyond the usual clichés,” Kitson said of working with the club. “The club ethos is community-led, not flashy.”
While footballer cameos can sometimes be dreadfully painful as they’re forced to feign some acting chops, there’s a genuine sense of fun here (and a handy lack of dialogue) that ensures everything comes together.
lacedcreative.com