Rafael Nadal Practices his Poker Face

By Ella Riley-Adams 

In McCann Erickson Barcelona’s latest ad for Pokerstars, Rafael Nadal pretends to be a Mallorca golf club receptionist, wearing adorable orange glasses and flashing his white teeth every three seconds. It’s a bluffing lesson, one part of his Pokerstars “training course.” Hidden cameras film unsuspecting golfers as they approach the counter for a fresh set of spikes or some clubs. Stuttering and giggling ensues.

An old Brit is the best character: he slyly asks Nadal, “So are you having a rest?” (Nadal’s currently struggling with an injured knee.) I also appreciate the woman who asked to see Nadal’s biceps. For those of you who have yet to experience heart palpitations at the sight of Rafa, I direct you to Shakira’s video for “Gypsy,” in which he is topless and sweaty.

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He’s hot, but the ad only works because he’s got something resembling a sense of humor. The last customer interaction: “Do you play tennis?” “Sometimes.”

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