- Gatorade now has an official presence on the sidelines for both the UEFA Champions League and EA SPORTS FC™25, blending the real and virtual worlds of football.
- To celebrate its expanded partnership with two of the world’s hottest football platforms, Gatorade is fuelling peak physical and mental performance from the sidelines by highlighting the power of #TheNod—an unspoken gesture that drives teamwork and success on the field.
- #TheNod is one of the most powerful tools used by footballers to get ahead of competitors, according to Gatorade, Manchester City football players and Sport Psychologist.
- Analysis of Manchester City’s use of non-verbal cues (NVCs) revealed a clear link to team performance, with the team recording over 100 NVCs per winning match during the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League.
- City players, Ilkay Gundogan, Ruben Dias and Rodri, the 68th winner of the Ballon d’Or, have backed the importance of the nod and NVCs in an interview with Gatorade.
LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — This season, Gatorade is seizing the sidelines of both the UEFA Champions League and select in-game matches of EA SPORTS FC™ 25. Bridging the real and virtual worlds of football, Gatorade will feature cooling equipment and squeeze bottles to emphasise the essential role of hydration in enhancing both mental and physical performance. The brand’s presence is complete with dedicated LED boards showcasing the Gatorade brand. Gatorade’s global sponsorships are a powerful reminder that optimal hydration sparks the greatest of what’s inside you, empowering everyone to perform at their best and fulfil their potential.
Manchester City players, Ilkay Gundogan, Ruben Dias and Rodri, the 68th winner of the Ballon d’Or, sat with Gatorade to discuss importance of #TheNod and non-verbal communication.
To celebrate its expanded partnership with two of the world’s biggest football properties, Gatorade has teamed up with Manchester City and players Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri), İlkay Gündoğan, and Rúben Dias to reveal football’s secret to peak team performance —#TheNod. As the ultimate drive for both mental and physical readiness, Gatorade empowers players with the confidence and energy needed to make #TheNod count when it matters most. From the sidelines to the penalty box, players claim a nod is much more than a simple gesture and is a powerful signal of confidence, readiness, and determination that can tip the balance between winning and losing.
According to Manchester City Sport Psychologist, David Young, non-verbal cues (NVCs) are an effective way for professional footballers tosporti communicate strategically on the pitch. Scanning the field, raising an arm, and pointing a finger are well-known forms of tactical non-verbal communication in sports. However, today, Gatorade reveals that the real secret superpower for footballers on the pitch is the simple nod of the head. Watch Rodri, Gündoğan, and Dias discuss the significance of this often-overlooked tactic on the pitch in Gatorade’s latest film
Gatorade fuelling players from the sidelines to stay hydrated during the game.
Gatorade now has an official presence on the sidelines for both the UEFA Champions League and EA SPORTS FC™25.
68th Ballon d’Or winner Rodri discusses the impact of #TheNod to help perform.
Man City star defender Ruben Dias talks about the importance of non-verbal communication
