The celebrations surrounding the Predator’s 25th anniversary dominate this week’s Boot Spotting, but we’ve also managed to find plenty of other special editions and throwback classics to complement the new releases. Ready? Let’s see who made the list this week…
Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid) adidas Predator Mania
The Predator Mania was rereleased by adidas this week (as if you didn't know) in its "Red/Metallic Silver" colourway as part of the 25th anniversary of Predator celebrations, although it appears the pros got their hands on them ahead of launch, with Alvaro Morata donning a pair for Atletico's 0-0 with Villarreal on Friday night.
Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) adidas Predator Mania
And as if the rerelease was going to go past Ivan Rakitic unnoticed. The midfielder is a big fan of a throwback Predator, often wearing various iterations in training. And so he was another one that was only too quick to slip in to the Predator Mania, jumping the official launch gun in Barcelona's 5-2 win over Mallorca.
Dele Ali (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas Predator Mania 19+
Launched just ahead of the OG's rerelease, adidas also unveiled the Predator Mania 19+ as part of the 25 year celebrations. The new silo combined elements of the iconic boot with modern day tech, and several pros were spotted in them, including Dele Ali in Tottenham's 5-0 thumping of Burnley.
Ollie Norwood (Sheffield United) adidas Predator Mania 19.1
Landing alongside the Predator Mania 19+, adidas also released the Predator Mania 19.1, offering not only a laced alternative, but also a completely different aesthetic, with a white base. It was matched up nicely with Sheffield United's kit by Ollie Norwood in the Blades' 2-1 win over Norwich.
Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) Nike Mercurial Superfly GS360
In the same match, Lys Mousset was seen in the Nike Mercurial Superfly GS360, one of the most disruptive limited edition boot series of the last few years. Only 2018 pairs were available when they were launched around this time last year, and the French attacker was obviously lucky enough to get his hands on some.
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) adidas Predator Precision DB
Despite all the Mania hype this week, Mesut Ozil played against Brighton in the Gunners' 2-1 defeat in the adidas Predator Precision David Beckham release, which was launched earlier this year, again as part of the Predator's 25 year celebration. Will we see the German switch into the OG Mania rerelease tonight against West Ham? The colours would certainly work...
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) Nike Hypervenom Phantom III
Arsenal are in a bit of a transitional period, but one man who is indispensable to them is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The striker opted for a bit of a throwback to one of the last colourways of the Hypervenom this week in training, opting for the clean look of the 'Just Do It' version.
Eljero Elia (Medipol Basaksehir) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
Heading over to Turkey, and Eljero Elia was seen wearing the limited edition Mercurial Vapor XIII that was released earlier this month for Singles Day. Celebrated on November 11 every year, Singles Day is a huge shopping day, particularly in China, where this boot was marketed heavily.
Ederson (Manchester City) Nike Mercurial Superfly VII
During the Manchester Derby, City keeper Ederson was seen wearing a "blackout" Nike Mercurial Superfly VII. In the past the Brazilian has been seen in the PhantomVSN and the Tiempo, so it'll be interesting to see if he's finely found his fit, or if he continues to switch things up.
Bambo Diaby (Barnsley) PUMA evoSPEED 1.3
Big Bambo Diaby had an interesting game against Cardiff on the weekend, first scoring an OG, then netting what he thought was his side's second before that too was ruled an OG. And all of this was with Diaby wearing the PUMA evoSPEED 1.3 in the "Bright Plasma/White/Peacoat" from 2015. Barnsley ultimately fell to a stoppage time winner from Cardiff, making it 3-2.
Reece James (Chelsea) Nike Tech Craft Mercurial Vapor XIII
Reece James continues to impress on the pitch this season, and he's not doing too badly off it in our eyes either, training in the Nike Tech Craft Mercurial Vapor XIII, which was released back in September of this year. While we'd love to see it, the young Englishman has yet to wear these in a match.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) PUMA ONE 5.1
Harry Maguire recently signed a deal with PUMA, but prior to that he was seen trialling both the Future and ONE silos. Well it appears he never truly picked a favourite from the two, as he's now been see wearing a hybrid version, with the upper of the ONE on the soleplate of the Future.
