Nike Japan is giving football fans a chance to have their words carved into history. The global sporting goods manufacturer has launched a campaign revolving around the FIFA World Cup 2010 featuring famous Brazilian/Japanese football star Marcus Tulio Tanaka, whose great sculpture serves as a board for fans’ messages.

The project uses an online presence at www.nike.jp/football/future to invite viewers to submit Twitter comments and words of support for the soccer team from Japan competing in the World Cup in South Africa. The best of the messages will be selected and carved into a statue of Tanaka commemorating the tournament.

People can watch the ‘birth’of the life-size sculpture at the Nike website. At the completion of the games, the piece of historical art will be placed at Nike’s store in Harajuku.

The football-inspired campaign is developed by Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo.

Here is the English translation of the text from the spot: I am Japanese. Everything starts now. The world will take notice and doubt will be erased. I am a defender that will attack in a split second. Prayers will be answered. One moment will last for eternity. One game. One play. And everything will change. Marcus Tulio Tanaka. Write the future.