Picture exclusive: Nike's new ad

GALLERY: Nike's new advert

Eric Cantona gloried in pulling the strings when Manchester United played. Now, the temperamental Frenchman has been given the chance to do the same with many of the world's greatest footballers.

In Nike's spectacular new ad campaign, released tomorrow, Cantona is the all-powerful ringmaster behind a tournament that is soccer's version of sudden death.

Set on a huge container ship, 24 of the game's biggest names are drawn together for the Secret Tournament, a three-on-three competition where there's only one rule - first goal wins.

The players are split into eight teams and Cantona has the perfect view as he prepares to begin the tournament.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry is among those battling it out and he prepares to take the field for the final with team-mates Francesco Totti of Italy and Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata. There they face Brazil stars Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo and Luis Figo, of Portugal, and appropriately for an event whose symbol is a scorpion, the final has a sting in the tail.

Henry said: "In three against three you need to keep an eye on the player you play against. In 11 against 11 even if the player you're watching's gone, you always have someone to cover you."

This advert, directed by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame, builds on Nike's reputation for eye-catching campaigns.

It also gives fans a chance to assess how Cantona's acting career is progressing - since retiring from the game he has been in a number of films including Elizabeth.

Between now and the World Cup, Nike will be holding three-on-three tournaments for children at schools around London. For more information log on to the website www.nikefootball.com

GALLERY: Nike's new advert
Sven is new man from Del Monte