Gatorade has linked up with Manchester City to reveal the secret to peak physical and mental performance on and off the pitch, #TheNod. Now an official partner on the sidelines for UEFA Champions League and select in-game matches of EA SPORTS FC™ 25, Gatorade is on a mission to empower everyone to perform at their best whether it's IRL or virtual. 

To mark its partnership with two of the game's biggest brands, Gatorade is exploring what it takes to fuel peak team performance. Its answer? #TheNod. Gatorade strives to empower players with the confidence and energy needed to make #TheNod count when it matters most. From the sidelines to the penalty box, players claim a nod is much more than a simple gesture and is a powerful signal of confidence, readiness, and determination that can tip the balance between winning and losing. 

Working with Manchester City stars Rodri, İlkay Gündoğan, and Rúben Dias, Gatorade's new film uncovers the power of non-verbal cues to communicate strategically on the pitch. Scanning the field, raising an arm, and pointing a finger are established forms of tactical comms on the pitch – but a pro baller's real secret superpower is a simple nod of the head, and Man City do it better than anyone else. 

Examining the pattern of non-verbal cues during Man City's UCL games in 23/24, Gatorade reveal that more than 1,000 signals were used across their eight games. In UEFA Champions League matches where Man City players used 100+ non-verbal cues, they won 100% of their matches – with "nods" increasing 33%. The club's top five users of non-verbal cues – Rodri, Rúben Dias, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker – averaged 45+ cues per match and had a 7.5% greater game score on average vs players who were less communicative. 

Speaking on the power of #TheNod, Ballon d'Or winner Rodri said: "Gestures between teammates help to build the effort and mentality of the team. When you see a guy suffering, these things can help a lot. We’re all human beings, when you see a confident face, it helps. It’s very important.” 

Gatorade has issued a rallying cry to the sporting and gaming communities to celebrate this often-overlooked gesture and showcase how NVCs, like the nod fuel them to success. Gatorade powers peak mental and physical performance from the sidelines, sparking #TheNod for players to achieve the best.

For more information on #TheNod, visit Gatorade on Instagram of YouTube.