Under the Tongue Review: A Predator Legacy Unveiled at Ultra Football
Wed, Dec 11.24
When we got word that we’d be hosting the premiere of SoccerBible and adidas Football's ‘Under the Tongue’ documentary at Ultra Football Sydney, we were buzzing to be a part of it.
It’s not every day a full-length feature drops about a boot franchise, let alone one we get to show ahead of general release. And when it comes to Predator, the nostalgia and aura around it are unmatched. You just hoped whoever took it on would do it justice—and SoccerBible absolutely nailed it.
Over 100 people packed our in-store pitch to get the first look, and from the opening scenes, it just hit differently. Newcastle, Australia as the starting point? Perfect.
That’s where the story begins, and it couldn’t be more fitting. We’d all heard about Aussie legend Craig Johnston’s role in the Predator’s journey, but this documentary goes deeper—capturing his fight to be heard, the struggles, the highs, and the lows.
To create something as iconic as Predator, you need genius and a bit of crazy—and Johnston has both, in the best possible way. The world would be a far duller place without innovators like him. Seeing his vision celebrated by the Three Stripes and witnessing what it meant to him was genuinely inspiring. For Aussie viewers, knowing our country played such a pivotal role in shaping arguably the greatest boot franchise of all time is a point of pride. And for those who didn’t know much about the story? You’re in for a treat.
Then comes the access. And wow, what access. From Zidane and Becks to Eniola Aluko and Alessia Russo, this documentary is packed with football royalty sharing their Predator stories — plus a behind-the-scenes look into the adidas archives.
Watching Zizou stroll into frame, dripped out in adidas gear with the aura of a deity, feels like a moment that belongs in a museum of football. As he pulls back his hood and reflects, saying he and the boots were “made for each other,” you can’t help but feel the itch to dig out your old Predators and pretend to be him on the pitch—no matter how old you are.
And then there’s Becks. His tales of Predator’s evolution—getting involved thanks to a nudge from Gary Neville, who takes credit for introducing him to the OGs in classic Neville fashion—are unforgettable. His memories of pushing the brand for the fold-over tongue design and that iconic halfway-line goal in his personalised big-time ‘Charlie’ boots are gold.
Fast forward to the present: Aitana Bonmatí and Jude Bellingham. They’re the torchbearers for Predator’s next chapter, and honestly, adidas couldn’t have chosen better. The documentary doesn’t shy away from the franchise’s missteps—those years when it lost its way with over-engineering and change for the sake of it. But now? Predator is back to its roots, with a roster of players perfectly positioned to create jaw-dropping moments on and off the pitch.
The next 30 years? They’re looking brighter than ever. SoccerBible nails every note: nostalgia, cultural impact, and sheer excitement. If this documentary doesn’t make you want to grab a ball, head to your local park, and try whipping one into the top corner—just like Craig Johnston tirelessly did to prove those rubber elements were game-changing—then honestly, we don’t know what will.
Rating wise we’re giving it a 5/5. A masterpiece. Whether you’re a boot connoisseur or not, it’s well worth a watch. And when you’re ready to cop the latest Predator 25 in the stunning Champagne colourway, we’ve got you covered.
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