Manchester City’s Rúben Dias fronts new Nike Underwear AW22 campaign

Nike Underwear is the latest brand to call on the services of a top level professional footballer, signing Premiership champions Manchester City’s formidable Portuguese defender Rúben Dias to front its AW22 campaign.

The 6ft 1” centre-back follows in the footsteps of fellow premiership stars including Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-Min, who became Burberry’s latest footballing brand ambassador in June this year.

The luxury British brand had already called on the services of Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford for its AW20 campaign, and other players used by fashion brands recently include Manchester City’s Jack Grealish for BoohooMAN in August 2021 – followed by Grealish again, this time for Gucci, in April this year, further cementing the fusing of football and fashion.

Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and France international Kylian Mbappé became Dior’s global brand ambassador in December 2021, while fellow France international Antoine Griezmann was unveiled as the face of Mango menswear for SS22. And, back in December 2020, PSG and Brazil superstar Neymar signed a three-year deal to front Superdry’s organic cotton underwear campaigns.

Nike Underwear’s new AW22 offering follows the success of last season’s ‘Move to Zero’ collection, which focused on Nike’s journey toward zero carbon and zero waste, with the aim to “help protect the future of sport”. The AW22 product range once again has a sustainability focus, utilising at least 75% recycled fibres.

The collection is engineered from smooth, stretch microfibre and Nike’s Dri-FIT technology that wicks away sweat to help the wearer stay dry and comfortable. The extra-soft, sustainable knit fabric is also easy to move in and is “designed to feel good against the skin”.

The Nike Underwear Dri-FIT Essential Micro (1 pack) starts from £20 and Nike Everyday Cotton Stretch (3 pack) is £31, with both now available on the JD Sports website.

Read our feature about why luxury fashion brands and footballers are a perfect match.