Strange endorsements from the world's top male athletes

From bacon to 'facial fitness' tech, here are some of the oddest products to be endorsed by the pros

Conor McGregor has just released an advert, external for a fast food chain. Now, we know what you're thinking: "Surely burgers and chips don't go hand-in-hand with the diet of a sports star?" but, well, read this and you'll see they eat all sorts.

The ad's full of in-jokes about his competitors - about the time Khabib Nurmagomedov called him a chicken and also Floyd Mayweather's burger-based trash talk last year, external.

Conor ends the advert with the line, "Thanks for all the trash talk guys. You just put Conor Jnr through college." 

Well, at least he's not disguising his motives there.

Certainly, being an elite athlete has its financial perks.

Aside from the self-evident benefits of being paid lots of money to travel around the world doing something most people just get to do for fun, there are also countless corporations just waiting to shower you with more money in the hope of getting you to flog their products.

Sometimes a sports star may choose to champion a brand that's close to their hearts. Sometimes, that may not be the case.

Here are some of the weirder and more embarrassing brands and products the world's top athletes have decided, in their wisdom, to endorse.

Peter Schmeichel

Bacon. The key to any footballer's success.

At least, that was the message when former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel helped out the pig farmers of his homeland by appearing in this ad for Danish food producer Danepak.

Fernando Torres

This is all kinds of amazing.

Fernando Torres stars in this Spanish ad for a dog-training school run by his pal Nacho, which looks as if it's been directed by Wes Anderson.

Manchester United

As one of the biggest clubs in world football, it's not a surprise to see Manchester United stars being used to sell all sorts of stuff.

But here, a set of Moyes-era United stars struggle to get to grips with Japanese tomato juice.

Ryan Giggs appears to be the only player enjoying a bit of the drink, whereas Michael Carrick look as though he has been asked to down a can of molten volcanic lava.

Maybe he would have preferred battling some pesky “out of towners” with Wayne Rooney and Jeff Goldblum.

Pure cringe. Although hats off to Chris Smalling for putting so much into it.

Tom Brady

New England Patriots quarterback legend Tom Brady does not care one single jot what you or any opposition fans think about his love affair with these soft, indoor slippers for men and has been championing them for years now, in spite of all your ribbing. Here's a video of him being annoyed at Jeff Bridges after the latter has serenaded him in his own living room. Imagine that was your life.

Lionel Messi

Here's five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, showing off his best impression of the Moon from the Mighty Boosh to plug a face cream.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid’s star man is known for his hard training and fitness routines, but has Ronaldo gone too far by attempting to work out his face?

So weird.

Jimmy Johnson

All we can say is more power to NFL broadcaster and former player Jimmy Johnson for putting his face on these 'male enhancement' pills. Also, fair play to the scriptwriters for deciding not to shy away from innuendo, "If you want that maximum performance edge every day, I say go long with Extenze".

Emmanuel Adebayor

“Take it on,” the former Man City and Arsenal striker creepily whispers to the camera, after polishing off a can of energy drink, and blowing you a kiss.

No thanks, mate. It's called 'Power Horse'.

John Arne Riise and Morten Gamst Pedersen

Whilst dressed as the men in black - or the men from the bank - John Arne Riise and Morten Gamst Pedersen close in on Norwegian striker Erik Huseklepp, catching him red-handed at the supermarket pick-and-mix stand.

With the help of heavy-duty autotune that they’re able to convince him to swap the sweets for fruit and veg.

Healthy eating, you see.

Blackburn Rovers

When it first aired, this advert was totally cringeworthy, but now it has a bit of edge.

Indian chicken company Venky's bought the then-Premier League club Blackburn Rovers in November 2010, sacked Sam Allardyce as manager and talked up the chances of Ronaldinho coming to play in Lancashire.

After seven years of mismanagement, the club have spent this season playing in the third tier, after being relegated from the Championship in May 2017.

Slightly undermines the claim that all that pre-match chicken is "good for you," despite former skipper Ryan Nelson licking his lips.

Joe Namath

An oldie, but a goldie. Just Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath advertising what our American cousins call pantyhose. "Now, I don't wear pantyhose, but-"...bit keen to distance yourself from the product there, Joe. Less tolerant times maybe. 

Michael Owen

"Are you buckled up and ready? Great."

You might think seeing Dubai from the sky in your very own private helicopter would be a thrilling experience.

But if former England goal-machine Michael Owen is your pilot, run!

Despite Michael's best efforts at an up-tempo and charismatic delivery, this pitch to property investors is 10 minutes you will never get back!

"You may think Dubai's wealth comes from oil, but you would be wrong. Oil makes up less than 6% of the nation's income." Thanks Michael.

Originally published 6 June 2017