Cristiano Ronaldo flicked open the first page of Chapter 4 in his signature Mercurial series by lacing them up for the first time in training this morning. Putting them to work ahead of a Madrid derby debut at the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon, Ronaldo will be aiming to feature a goal against Atletico in his opening paragraph.
Nike are tactical with timings when they launch any signature Cristiano Ronaldo Mercurial boot. It's the most hyped exclusive boot series on the market and the Swoosh want maximum exposure on their leading man when he wears his new wheels for the first time. It's never Gijon or Eibar away, it's always Champions League knockout games, el clasico, or in this case a Madrid derby against cross-city rivals Atletico. That's the perfect space on the calendar to drop a pin this month.
The latest Mercurial Superfly V in the CR7 power series marks the journey Ronaldo made when making his name at Manchester United. His transition to the number seven shirt is what Nike have focused on – a shirt that Sir Alex Ferguson handed to an 18 year-old winger on a hanger of belief and potential. Three consecutive league titles and a 2008 'World's Best Player Award' later and that belief was more than justified. Ronaldo was one of the most famous number seven's in world football. Now, he's the most famous. The only and only.
The prominent number 7 was glistening on the metallic tones of the upper in the Madrid sunshine this morning as Ronaldo got to grips with his new design, that featured a standard version of the Dynamic Fit Collar. CR7 has previously opted for a modified lower cut of the technology but it looks as if he's finally on-board with the collared movement. Need more? Take a closer look at the Nike Mercurial CR7 Chapter 4: Forged For Greatness boots right about here.
Want a pair? Get them here from April 10.
