Aaron Hope 
Mention the name ‘Zoltar’ and if anyone can place the reference, we’re willing to bet they’d think of the famous quarter-operated fortune teller machines. In a time-travel fantasy not totally unlike the Tom Hanks movie Big where Zoltar made his big splash, the ‘other’ Zoltar has gotten up with Nike Sportswear to create one of the most entertaining and tightly-crafted promos in recent history.
Part of the ongoing Nike Stadium intiative, the Nike Sportswear x Zoltar ‘Shaman’ Project brings together five warrior characters, representing the USA, Holland, South Korea, Brazil and Portugal. The story goes that 25th Century scientists discovered a 21st Century soccer pitch in (Old) London(ium), where their advanced techniques revealed a glimpse into the global religion of the day. It’s a clever take on worldwide football madness on the eve of the 2010 World Cup, but we bet you’ll be just as entertained to see the Brazil shaman rocking the Doernbecher x Air Jordan II from 2007. Click the jump below for more photos, video and the official ‘explanation’. via SxH
When the anthropological technicians of the 25th century discovered the most important architectural relic of the 21st century in north Old Londinium, all experts were baffled at the relevance of this stadium saturated in emotion and glory. Upon further rigorous subatomic analysis and clone replication scenarios they made some startling discoveries about the 21st century’s truly global, spiritual phenomena.
The football temples—these open-air amphitheatres were used for mass gatherings, broadcast to every corner of the globe. These pantheons of the ancients, channelled human emotions – faith, belief and hope into the hope of the grail; the coming together of nations and emerging as the champions of the world.
The congregation met in the time honoured clash between good and evil, the congregation’s tribal colours a testament to the devotion of their choosing. This phenomena crossed global political and social boundaries, in the city of Rangoon, monks remains have been found whose devotion was clearly marked by the Brazilian shirt he was clutching.
Like the earth itself, the focus of spiritual nirvana was a pitch of green. On its altar was a football. While engaged in the mass ritual of the game, the faithful would emerge themselves in the full emotional and psychological rollercoaster. Ecstasy, sorrow, joy, frustration, pain and victory were all stops on the intercity to glory.
Further examination revealed that within these highly organised and emotional gatherings were spiritual guides who acted as a human catalyst between the Gods of victory and football. These were the Shaman, united under the swoosh and this is their story. Every four years they would meet to re-enact the tournament of the ages, with only one emerging victorious
