While we all wait with breath held and everything crossed for the return of football, we bring you a timely reminder that it is, in fact, Monday, which means it’s time to dip into the archive once more for another edition of retro Boot Spotting. Bringing you some of the best boots of all time on some of the greatest players to have ever played the game. Ready? Let's go...
Roberto Baggio (Italy) Diadora Brasil
Starting with a little spill over from last week's World Cup Boot Spotting special, and this picture preludes one of the saddest moments in football if you're Italian. Or Roberto Baggio. The irony of the fact that he missed the crucial spot kick against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup final in a boot called 'Brasil' is not lost on anyone...
Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan) Lotto Sheva 7 Extreme
Lotto was not as popular as Nike, adidas or PUMA back in 2005, but they certainly didn't hold Andriy Shevchenko back. The Ukrainian goal machine fired his way to the Ballon d'Or in 2004 and was honoured with several signature edition boots from the Italian brand, all of which the AC Milan striker had input on.
Gerard Pique (Barcelona) Nike Tiempo Air Legend II
Comfort was the name of the game with the Nike Tiempo Air Legend II. Originally released in 2007, they featured visible Nike Zoom Air in the innersole, along with a high-tech moulded sockliner, The boot that Pique opted for when he made his return to Barcelona after failing to establish himself at Manchester United in the preceding four years.
Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma) adidas Nitrocharge 1.0
adidas updated the Nitrocharge silo in time for the 2014/15 season kick-off, launching them in a “Black/Metallic Silver/Solar Gold” colourway. The second generation Nitrocharge 1.0 built on the fundamental features of the original boot, giving new levels of energy return and protection, perfect for Daniele De Rossi's no-nonsense approach to the game.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) PUMA Powercat 2.10
2010 saw Nemanja Matic in the middle of his Manchester United stint, where the Serbian international had forged one of the Premier League's most formidable defensive partnerships with Rio Ferdinand. It also saw him in the PUMA Powercat 2.10, the precursor to the evoPOWER line. They featured Power shooting technology and off-centre lacing, wrapped up in a striking upper design that came in varying colours throughout the season.
Xabi Alonso (Spain) adidas Adipure II
The adidas adipure II was a classy boot that was made all the more appealing with this black and gold paint job, released in 2009. They were the perfect companion for Spaniard Xabi Alonso, whose performances in the centre of the park for Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich rightly place him amongst some of the best in the game.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) Nike Mercurial Vapor IV
Offering an uninterrupted shooting surface and introducing the look of an aerodynamic sprint spike to the pitch, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV saw one of the Swoosh's first attempts at covering the laces, something that appealed to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he continued to grow his impressive reputation for both club and country.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool) adidas F50 adizero Leather
Luis Suarez made an impact on the Premier League like few others have, scoring goals for fun though his tenure at the club. In 2012 he completed a hat-trick against Norwich (who must've been happy to see him eventually leave for Barcelona), and he did it in the adidas F50 adizero Leather in the "Prime Blue/White/Core Energy" colourway.
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) PUMA V1.08 I
PUMA's boot names were certainly on the confusing side circa 2008, but that did not take anything away from the performance of the boots. Nicolas Anelka certainly had no complaints in the V3.08 I. They featured a leather and synthetic upper, joined by a carbon-fibre outsole and an external heel counter. Under-rated bangers.
Angel Di Maria (Manchester United) adidas Predator Instinct
Kicking off the 20th anniversary celebrations for the Predator, the Instinct got its official launch in 2014 with a new "Black/Running White/Infrared" Champions League colourway. Despite his ill-fated stint at United, Di Maria scored some beauties in these.
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas Ace 16+ Purecontrol
adidas's first foray into the laceless world may well have been fronted by Mesut Ozil, but in January 2016 it was Dele Alli who stole the headlines, swivelling on the spot and juggling the ball before rifling in against Crystal Palace. A great introduction for the boot that was the beginning of the laceless journey that continues on all of the Three Stripe silos today.
