With domestic action reaching a climax in European leagues and preparation for the summer tournaments well underway, there was no shortage of new releases, special editions, throwback classics and custom creations to fill this week’s Global Boot Spotting. Who made the cut? Let’s find out…
Leandro Bacuna (Cardiff City) adidas Glitch 19
Last game of the season, away at Old Trafford. Already relegated, Cardiff City were in to have some fun, and Leandro Bacuna decided to wear the Glitch 19 'F50 Skin', tying the blue hues in with the Bluebird's kit. Cardiff obviously enjoyed themselves, winning the game 2-0.
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) Nike Hypervenom Phantom III
Playoff semi-final first leg against bitter rivals West Bromich Albion – certainly not the time to change your lucky boots, even if they are literally falling to pieces. That's the view of Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish, as he continues to persist with what were once a pair of Nike Hypervenom Phantom III. Seems to be working though, with Villa taking a 2-1 lead into the second leg.
Divock Origi (Liverpool) Nike Mercurial Superfly LVL UP
Divock Origi certainly earned the right to wear the Nike Mercurial Superfly 'LVL UP' against Wolves this week. The Liverpool striker has raised his game recently, scoring the late winner against Newcastle to keep the Reds in the title chase, before his two-goal heroics against Barcelona.
Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) adidas Nemeziz 19.1
In case you missed the news this week, Serge Gnabry has officially signed a deal with adidas. After weeks of wearing blacked-out versions of the next-gen silo, the Germany midfielder wore the "302 Redirect" colourway this week as Bayern missed the chance to add a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title with a 0-0 draw against Leipzig.
Miralem Pjanic (Juventus) adidas Predator 19+
Having already wrapped up the Serie A title, Juventus took their foot off the gas this week, falling to Roma 2-0. But the highlight for Juve fans was seeing the new kit on pitch, and Miralem Pjanic complemented it with the stunning "302 Redirect" Predator 19+.
Alex Morgan (USWNT) Nike PhantomVNM SE
Alex Morgan recently celebrated scoring her 100th goal for the US national team. In honour of the achievement Nike presented her with a special edition PhantomVNM, which she chose to wear in the USWNT's World Cup warm up win against South Africa.
Carli Lloyd (USWNT) Nike Mercurial Superfly VI
Carli Lloyd celebrated getting on the score sheet in the 93rd minute of the USWNT's game against South Africa, and she did so in the new Nike Mercurial Superfly VI from the recently released "Victory Pack", which has been launched specifically for the Women's World Cup.
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (Liverpool Women) adidas ACE 15.1
Liverpool Women finished off their season with a win in the Merseyside Derby, and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk opened the scoring in her customised adidas ACE 15.1 boots, which tied in nicely with the Liverpool home kit.
Willi Orban (RB Leipzig) Nike Magista Opus
For the big game against table-topping Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig centre back Willi Orban wore a pair of Nike Magista Opus from 2015's Intense Heat Pack. Preventing Bayern from clinching the Bundesliga title was just an added bonus for the Hungarian.
Babiche Roof (PEC Zwolle Women) Nike Mercurial Vapor XII
The excellently named Babiche Roof wore a special pair of Nike iD customised Mercurial Vapor XII for her side's match against Ajax. Despite combining the look of her boots nicely with PEC Zwolle Women's kit, the team were robbed of a result by a 93rd minute winner from Ajax.
Denis Zakaria (Borussia Monchengladbach) adidas Nemeziz 19.1
Despite the new Nemeziz 19 releasing under the "302 Redirect" pack banner recently, Borussia Monchengladbach's Denis Zakaria still wore the blacked-out prototype version, scoring in them as his side strolled to a 4-0 victory over FC Nurnberg.
Emily Menges (Portland Thornes) Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
Portland Thornes scored a 3-1 win over Orlando Pride this weekend, and Thornes centre back Emily Menges was spotted marshalling the backline in the Nike Tech Craft Mercurial Superfly IV from 2016. Nice.