It’s Monday again, which means it’s time for some Boot Spotting. With eyes firmly on all the leagues across Europe as they grind back into gear, we’ve rounded up the best of the new releases, special editions and throwback classics. Let’s see who made the list this week…
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) Nike Mercurial CR7 Safari
Ronaldo's back on the signature train again, and with the release of the Mercurial CR7 Safari scheduled for this week, the Portuguese was showing it off in Juve's Coppa Italia semi final second leg against AC Milan. The great man surprisingly missed a penalty, but that didn't stop the Old Lady progressing on away goals.
Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal) PUMA Future 5.1
Nicolas Pepe has been flitting through the PUMA line-up in recent weeks, trialling both the ONE and the upcoming mystery boot from the brand. But this week, as action got back underway on the pitch, he was in the 'Rise Pack' Future 5.1. Does this signal a definitive decision for the Arsenal attacker? Probably not.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL
Sticking with Arsenal, and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rolled the clock back to 2009 ahead of the Gunners' friendly against Brentford, lacing up in the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL. Sadly, the Gabonese did not stick with them for the match itself, switching to the 'Future Lab' Mercurial Superfly VII.
Sergi Guardiola (Real Valladolid) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII South Korea
A few pros have been lucky enough to get their hands on the striking special South Korea edition of the Mercurial, which comes wrapped in the same tiger stripe design from the national side's away kit, but most of these have been the Superfly iteration. However, Real Valladolid's Sergi Guardiola made his La Liga return in Valladolid's 2-1 win over Leganes in a Vapor edition.
Alejandro Velasco Farinas (SV Mattersburg) adidas Nitrocharge 1.0 TRX
Part of the adidas 'Samba Pack', released for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the gloriously named 'Solar Slime' colourway of the Nitrocharge was always hard to miss. And so it proved once more, as we spotted it on the feet of SV Mattersburg's Jano Velasco in their 4-1 loss to Austria Wien.
Emre Colak (Deportivo de La Coruna) Nike Mercurial Supefly GS 360
Always got time for a bit of Greenspeed action, and this week it comes courtesy of Deportivo La Coruna's Emre Colak, in his side's 0-0 with Sporting Gijon. Following on from the original in 2012, the Superfly GS was once again made entirely from renewable and recycled materials and exquisitely executed in that OG "Volt/Black" colourway.
Claudio Beauvue (Deportivo La Coruna) adidas F50 adizero II Leather
Another from that match saw Claudio Beauvue in the adidas F50 adizero II, originally released back in 2011. With the match ending 0-0, these and teammate Colak's throwback choices were the highlight.
Peter Nymann (AC Horsens) adidas F50 adizero Messi Blaugrana
In the Danish Cup semi final, Horsens' Peter Nymann wore the adidas F50 adizero Messi Blaugrana, the design of which supported four varieties of colour, each inspired by the architecture of Barcelona and representing the four times he had claimed the Golden Boot. Messi went on to become the all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League, overtaking Real Madrid legend Raul. Nymann and Horsens' couldn't replicate that, losing 2-1 to SonderjyskE.
Evgeni Bashkirov (Zaglebie Lubin) Nike Mercurial Vapor X
To Poland, and Zaglebie Lubin's Evgeni Bashkirov wore the Nike Mercurial Vapor X. The Vapor X boasted a new ultra-thin micro fibre upper that had been redesigned to shape to the foot and offer a barefoot and responsive fit. Zaglebie Lubin lost 2-1 to Rakow Czestochowa.
Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen) PUMA blackout prototype
We've seen it about a fair bit now, but Moussa Diaby became the latest player to trial the upcoming mystery PUMA boot, which must be nearing a release anytime now. Diary even netted the opener in them, in what was a 3-0 win over Saarbruecken in the DFB Pokal semi final.
Shinji Okazaki (Huesca ) Mizuno Wave Cup Legend
The Mizuno Wave Cup Legend instantly conjures images of Rivaldo, circa the 2002 World Cup. It does not necessarily conjure images of Shinji Okazaki, but that's who was wearing it this weekend, as Huesca beat Malaga 3-1.
Alexander Gruenwald (Austria Wien) Nike Mercurial Vapor X
Another Vapor X, this time on the feet of Alexander Gruenwald in Austria Wien's tipico Bundesliga match against Rheindorf Altach, a game Gruenwald's side lost 2-0. Dropping in 2016, this colourway was part of the 'Radiant Reveal' pack, which saw white uppers splashed with fluorescent pops of pink, volt and orange.
Marco Terrazzino (SG Dynamo Dresden) Nike Tiempo Legend III
2010 saw a controversial move for the iconic Tiempo series, with Nike releasing the first ever coloured versions that were made available to more than just the pros. The "Team Red/Metallic Silver" look was worn by Marco Terrazzino this weekend in his side's Second Bundesliga defeat against SV Hamburger.