With both Nike and adidas switching things up on pitch for the first time this year, there was no shortage of new releases on offer for this week’s Boot Spotting. Add to that the fourth round of the FA Cup, which always provides plenty of throwback classics and special editions, and we were spoilt for choice. Let’s see who made the cut…
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) adidas Nemeziz 19+
The adidas 'Mutator Pack' dropped earlier this week, and while we've had glimpses of it in action previously, this week saw it officially rolled out across Europe, with Roberto Firmino among those to change into the new colourway. His late goal against Wolves ensured the Brazilian got off to a good start to life in the Mutator colourway Nemeziz 19+.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) adidas Nemeziz 19.1
Also switching his Nemeziz colourway was Lionel Messi, with the Barca man joining Firmino in the 'Mutator Pack' colourway, albeit in the laced 19.1 variation. It wasn't quite as successful a start for the Argentinian though, with Barca being sunk 2-0 by Valencia.
Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) adidas Predator 20.1 Mutator Lo-Cut
Lorenzo Insigne was one of the players seen testing out a blacked out lo-cut Predator 20.1 Mutator prior to its release, and now he's wearing them in game in full Mutator guise, scoring the winner in the 86th minute against Juventus. The lo-cut is yet to hit shelves, but expect that to change in the near future...
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas X 19+
The midweek fixture between Spurs and Norwich was one of the first sightings of the new look X 19+, spotted on the feet of Son Heung-Min. The Korean managed to nick the winner as Spurs took the 3 points with a 2-1 win.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus) adidas COPA 20+
Completing the on-pitch sightings of the 'Mutator Pack' for an all-star line-up, Paulo Dybala made the switch into the "Active red/white/core black" COPA 20+ for Juve's 2-0 loss to Napoli. Strong contrast to the blue of the Nemeziz and X, and complementing the Predator nicely.
Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
On the back of the debut of the PhantomVSN II, Nike completed the 'Future Lab' Pack, the brand's first on-pitch pack of 2020, and Neymar switched into the red look for PSG's Coupe De la Ligue game against Stade Reims, which the Parisian giants won 3-0.
Andreas Pereira (Manchester United) Nike PhantomVNM
Another player making the switch into the 'Future Lab' colourway was Manchester United's Andreas Pereira. The black and red combo of his PhantomVNM worked brilliantly with United's home kit, and the Red Devils finally put in a performance worth shouting about, albeit against Tranmere in the FA Cup, beating the League 2 side 6-0.
Gerard Pique (Barcelona) Nike Tiempo Legend VIII
The Tiempo Legend VIII completes the 'Future Lab' pack, and Barca's Gerard Pique switched into the new look for Barca's 2-0 loss to Valencia. Not a great start, admittedly.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) Nike Hypervenom Phantom III
Always one for a throwback in training, Arsenal's Aubameyang was spotted this week in the Nike Hypervenom Phantom III in the 'Fire Pack' look from 2017. He's picked them at a good time, with the red colourway tying in nicely with the 'Future Lab' look – it would undoubtedly sit well in that pack if the silo was still around.
Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City) adidas Predator Archive Mutator
Kasper Schmeichel is well known as a Predator fan and as well as being seen this week in the Predator 20.1 Mutator Lo-cut, he also trained in the Predator Archive Mania, a monster mashup of previous Predator's that was released ahead of the next-gen silo.
Matheus Pereira (West Bromich Albion) adidas F50 miCoach Leather
While it's unlikely that Matheus Pereira would actually utilise the miCoach Speed Cell chip, it's still nice to see the "High Energy/White/Electricity" F50 miCoach Leather getting a run out. The Brazilian wore the 2011 boot in the Baggies' 1-0 loss to Stoke.
Zain Westbrooke (Coventry City) Nike T90 Laser IV
Coventry and Birmingham played out a 0-0 draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, and probably the highlight of the match was spotting Coventry's Zain Westbrooke in 2011's Nike T90 Laser IV.
Herbie Kane (Hull City) adidas Predator Adipower
Completing a 2011 throwback hat-trick this week, Hull city's Herbie Kane played in the narrow 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the "White/Blue/Electricity" colourway of the adidas Predator Adipower.
Callum Lang (Shrewsbury Town) Nike Hypervenom Phantom I
Shrewsbury put on one of the performances of the fourth round of the FA Cup, coming from 2-0 down against European champions Liverpool to salvage a replay. But their heroics weren't the only thing to catch the eye, with Callum Lang wearing the hard-to-miss "Yellow/Black/Volt" Nike Hypervenom Phantom I from 2014.
