Gatorade will be on the sidelines for the UEFA Champions League and select EA SPORTS FC™ 25 in-game games this season. Bridging the real and virtual worlds of football, Gatorade will showcase coolers and squeeze bottles to highlight the critical role of hydration in boosting mental and physical performance. The Gatorade brand presence is highlighted with dedicated LED panels. Gatorade’s global sponsorships demonstrate that optimal hydration can inspire peak performance and empower each individual to perform at their best and reach their full potential.
- Gatorade is now officially on the sidelines at the UEFA Champions League and EA SPORTS FC™25, where the real and virtual worlds of soccer merge.
- As part of its expanded partnership with two of the world’s hottest soccer platforms, Gatorade supports athletes from the sidelines to achieve peak physical and mental performance. #TheNod plays an important role – the nod as a symbolic gesture that promotes teamwork and success on the field.
- #TheNod is one of the most powerful communication tools footballers can use to gain an advantage over their opponents, according to Gatorade, Manchester City players and sports psychologists.
- When analyzing the non-verbal communication (NVC) used by Manchester City players, a clear connection was found between such gestures and team performance. During the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League, over 100 NPCs were recorded per game won.
- City players İlkay Gündoğan, Ruben Dias and Rodri, the 68th Ballon d’Or winner, highlighted the importance of nodding and other non-verbal forms of communication in an interview with Gatorade.
As part of its expanded partnership with two of the world’s biggest brands in football, Gatorade, together with Manchester City and players Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (Rodri), İlkay Gündoğan and Rúben Dias, reveals the secret to peak performance in the game: #TheNod – the gesture of the nod. As a drink that supports both mental and physical performance, Gatorade gives players the confidence and energy they need to #TheNod when it matters most. Whether on the sidelines or in the penalty area: For football players, a head nod is much more than just a simple gesture. It is a powerful signal that conveys confidence, commitment and determination and can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
According to David Young, sports psychologist at Manchester City, non-verbal communication (NVC) is an effective way for professional footballers to strategically communicate with each other on the pitch. Scanning the field, a raised arm and an extended finger are well-known forms of tactical non-verbal communication in sports. Today, however, Gatorade revealed that the real secret weapon for footballers on the field is a simple head nod. In Gatorade’s latest film (CLICK HERE), Rodri, Gündoğan and Dias explain the importance of this often overlooked tactic on the pitch.
To support players’ success from the sidelines, Gatorade conducted an in-depth analysis examining Manchester City’s use of the head nod. A clear connection was found between team success and the frequency of non-verbal gestures on the field. By promoting mental and physical performance, Gatorade also strengthens the confidence behind these crucial gestures and helps players perform at their best on the field.
The study examined the frequency, context and patterns of non-verbal communication during Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League games in the 2023/2024 season. The following was determined:
- Tactical sign language: Over the eight games of the season, the Boys in Blue used over 1,000 non-verbal cues, reflecting a variety of body language with different forms of communication (scanning, pointing, nodding and raised arms).
- Nod for the win: In games in which Manchester City players used more than 100 non-verbal cues, the team was victorious in 100% of the games. The frequency of head nodding was 33% higher.
- “The midfield radar”: Midfielders like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Bernardo Silva are the team’s top scanners, with around 20 and 15 scans per game respectively.
- Goal scoring gestures: When three or more goals were scored, the team’s use of nonverbal cues increased by 19%.
- Tactical Telepathy: Defenders and midfielders exchange the most silent gestures: over 50% of all nonverbal signals recorded involved at least one player in these positions.
- Successful on defense: At Manchester City, the frequency of non-verbal communication increased by 13.2% in those games in which the team conceded no goals or only one goal.
- Secret superpower: The five players who used nonverbal forms of communication most often – Rodri, Rúben Dias, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker – gave an average of 45 nonverbal cues per game and scored an average of 7.5% more points than players who used such gestures less used frequently.
Rodri, the 68th winner of the coveted Ballon d’Or award, talks about his use of #TheNod and non-verbal communication in the Gatorade film. The player currently considered the best in the world says: “Non-verbal communication plays a very important role in our sport. Gestures between players help strengthen the team’s commitment and mentality. When you see someone suffering, gestures can be very helpful. We are all human and it is simply encouraging to see a confident face. This is very important.“
Manchester City sports psychologist David Young says: “Nonverbal signals are often overlooked. However, they can give us insight into a person’s emotional state and potentially improve group cohesion and performance. Research has shown that certain behaviors observed on the field, such as nodding, scanning, and other body movements, can influence individual and team performance. They help strengthen team unity and can be used effectively by athletes and coaches to convey important messages during training and games – especially in competitive situations where you don’t want your opponent to know what you’re up to.
Manchester City wants to increase the self-confidence in the team. The effective use of NVK is an important part of this. Nonverbal communication reassures players that they have each other’s backs and that everyone understands the challenge ahead. We all know how intense games can be, especially during the UEFA Champions League season. Whether on the sidelines or in the middle of the action, a nod can really make all the difference.
As part of its multi-year partnership, Gatorade is calling on the sports and gaming community to pay more attention to this often-overlooked gesture and show how nonverbal cues like nods can inspire players to succeed. Gatorade pushes players from the sidelines to achieve mental and physical excellence and inspires them to be their best.
Adam Warner, Vice President of Global Sports and Entertainment Partnerships, sagt: “UEFA and EA SPORTS FC™ 25 are two of the most recognizable brands in football. We’re excited to be on the sidelines and show how important hydration is to players’ peak mental and physical performance. Our signature water bottles will also be seen on the sidelines – both in the real and virtual world. At Gatorade, we know what drives players on the field. Through our work with Manchester City we have now been able to demonstrate the importance of this underrated tactic. We hope this insight inspires both gaming and soccer communities to improve their game through the power of nodding.”
Further information can be found at: Instagram
1Gatorade conducted match data analysis of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League matches from the 2023/2024 season. The analysis measured the team’s use of non-verbal signals (e.g. nodding, scanning, hand signals, etc.), each player’s performance, and the team’s success in the eight games: The analysis was carried out manually between September and October 2024 carried out.
For further information please contact: gatoradelondon@golin.com
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