Gatorade Appoints Football Legend Andriy Shevchenko as 'Confidence Coach'

Today, Gatorade launches an inspirational Team Talk series featuring England legend Rachel Yankey alongside Ukrainian football star and 2004 Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko.  

The talks were given as part of the footballing-icons new role as Gatorade’s ‘Confidence Coaches’, a move which comes in response to recent data revealing that a lack of self-esteem in teenagers is preventing their participation in grassroots sports. 

In the emotive videos, Yankey and Shevchenko speak directly to the next generation of footballers, aged between 14-16 years old, at Gatorade’s global 5v5 tournament – providing motivation alongside a rare glimpse into their own stories. 

Ex-lioness Yankey shared how she had to shave her head and pose as a boy to be accepted in her early days of football, and how she battled to be accepted, while the former Ukraine and Genoa head coach gave the young players gave inspiring advice on coming back from a negative situation and how to remain positive. He said, “I lost a couple of Champions League finals, but I never gave up. I always think positively. I've always tried to focus on a different challenge.”

Fuelling people forward

The motivational Team Talks from Yankey and Shivchenko are needed now, perhaps more than ever. In 2023, Gatorade took steps to identify the barriers that teens face when playing, starting, or staying in sports, by surveying over 2,500 parents of 13-17-year-olds. Over four in 10 people (41%) agreed that a lack of confidence or self-esteem was a barrier, while 44% reported that a lack of visible and relatable role models also contributed to the problem. 

Gatorade is committed to fuelling everyone forward, regardless of individual sporting ability. This purpose is the driving force behind Gatorade 5v5, the annual grassroots tournament, where the legendary players issued their rallying cry.  At this year’s global finals, Honduras’ AFFI boys’ team and Chile’s Club De Lo Prado girls’ team were crowned global champions. A week prior, the Cruyff Academy, Tilburg lifted the trophy at Gatorade’s all-female five-a-side tournament in Eindhoven. 

“The stats demonstrate that there is a crisis of confidence in grassroots football,” said Robert Blythe, PepsiCo’s senior director, Sports and Hydration. “As young people grapple with self-belief, it has never been more important to unlock the power of sport to help them tackle challenges both on and off the pitch. The Gatorade 5v5 tournament is a great opportunity for budding players to build their confidence whilst showcasing their passion and dedication for the game. Over 126,000 young people from around the world have taken part in the initiative since its inception, allowing the next generation to develop their team skills, build self-belief, and most importantly, have fun!” 

Now in its sixth year, Gatorade 5v5 has grown to feature teams from 11 countries, spanning Latin America, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. The tournament’s mission is to support and inspire young players on their journey, whilst instilling them with confidence by offering unique opportunities to reap the benefits of sport.  

Gatorade 5v5 national qualifying rounds began in March and saw almost 15,000 competitors vying to be global champions. Gatorade 5v5 has built an international platform; giving over 126,000 boys and girls from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to excel in football, driving positive change within the most deserving global communities. Past winners of Gatorade 5v5 have gone on to build successful professional football careers, and some have even represented their country at major football tournaments.   

Inspiring the next generation 

Gatorade remains committed to creating life-changing moments for young athletes. Selected MVP’s (most valuable players) from the tournament were invited to take part in a surprise football ‘Legends Match’ against some of the greatest UEFA Champions League superstars. Players included former Spanish international and Liverpool player Luis Garcia, former French international and Arsenal star Robert Pires, Germany and Arsenal legend Josephine Henning, and former Argentinian and Inter Milan striker Diego Milito.   

Other legends included former Italian international and Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, as well as former Porto goalkeeper Victor Baía. It was a thrilling match, played in front of the official UEFA Champions League Festival, where the global finals took place.   

Staying true to the brand promise of fostering young athletes, all players taking part in the tournament were given unprecedented access to world-class footballing talent and UEFA legends. These mentors offered valuable strategies for on-the-field success, coupled with practical advice to improve mental and physical strength. Additionally, the 5v5 players were introduced to Gx Sweat Patch testing, a unique Gatorade technology that unlocks athletes’ sweat profiles to inform their hydration strategies and help fuel performance. Finally, participating teams received education in sports nutrition and performance via the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), reinforcing the brand’s societal commitment to inspire the next generation through sports education and participation.   

Creating positive change beyond the pitch 

Off the pitch, Gatorade ensured the 5v5 tournament was set to the highest sustainable standards, taking measures to implement carbon neutrality via recycling efforts, carbon offsets, and sustainable clothing.  

Planet-positive kits were provided to the players, produced using a recycled polyester and cotton blend. To minimise plastic waste on the ground, Gatorade supplied all players with 100% recycled bottles, Gatorade powders, and innovative seaweed pods containing Gatorade.  

To create a legacy beyond the tournament, Gatorade 5v5 launched a ‘Play and Stay’ initiative on the ground in Istanbul, as part of the brand’s pep+ end-to-end sustainability strategy to have a lasting positive impact on local communities. The programme will see Gatorade provide access to 200 hours’ worth of free training facilities at the Fenerbahçe Academy, the same location the Gatorade 5v5 tournament took place. These hours will be used by local children, with the ambition of removing barriers so that everyone can access the benefits of football.