With the countdown officially on for the reveal of ‘Under The Tongue’, our documentary produced in co-operation with adidas, which officially launches on 11 December, we’re giving a sneak peek behind the curtains to give more of an idea of what’s in store.
The adidas Predator. When it comes to selling the ‘Under The Tongue’ documentary, we really shouldn’t need to be saying any more than that. And if you’re reading this, chances are that you’ve already seen the trailer (if not, it's below – catch up!) and are probably already pretty hyped about seeing the previously untold story of what is arguably football’s most iconic boot in full. But let’s see if we can’t get you a little more hyped about it, yeah?
‘Under The Tongue’ charts the incredible rise and enduring legacy of the adidas Predator football boot, interrogating its impact on football and wider culture since its debut in 1994. And who better to comment on the boot and its legacy than the players that actually wore them over the years? That’s why, with adidas’s help, we spoke with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Jude Bellingham, Aitana Bonmatí, Alessia Russo, Trent Alexander-Arnold and more, all of whom provided insights, anecdotes and contributions.
“You needed to be good, and you needed to have been chosen by adidas...So yes, I would say some players were envious.…I feel very lucky to have worn this boot for so many years. They chose me, but I’m the one who wore them. I did some amazing things in them.” – Zinedine Zidane
This is, quite frankly, unparalleled access to all things adidas Predator – from the players to the designers to the archives – there’s no base left uncovered nor stone left unturned. This is about as comprehensive as it gets, and it's all presented through the artful eye of director, Keane Pearce-Shaw, whose meticulous approach leaves the watcher in no doubt about the sheer legacy that's still being built to this day.
"It's the bollocks, isn't it." – Jude Bellingham
Coming in at around the hour mark, 'Under The Tongue' wraps up 30 years of history in what is an entertaining, jaunty journey. And it all starts where you'd imagine – at the beginning. See, there's always been whispers about the true origins of the Predator, but here, it's addressed in full, with viewers transported to the land of Oz to meet Craig Johnston—the mastermind behind the original idea to use rubber to create the now-iconic Predator "teeth" on the boot’s upper. The ex-Liverpool midfielder reminisces about the journey that started with a lightbulb moment while coaching kids’ football in Australia. From that initial spark of inspiration, Johnston recounts how his vision evolved, culminating in the moment he saw the boots on the feet of the world's best players in 1994.
The documentary then traces the Predator's monumental impact on football over the next three decades, cementing its place as a game-changer in the sport. And without wanting to spoil any more, what better way to whet the appetite further than to check out a delicious array of BTS imagery, captured throughout the duration of filming. Get that popcorn at the ready, we're only few days away...
Under The Tongue’ premieres on 11 December, and will available to view from 9PM CET on the adidas football YouTube channel.
