Like a sleeping giant, football is slowly waking from its enforced slumber, and with its return comes the inevitable opportunity to spot some new and upcoming releases, throwback classics, and special editions on the feet of the pros. That’s right, it’s Monday, which means its time for Boot Spotting. You know the drill.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) Nike Phantom VNM
Training's back on, so why not roll out one of the best special editions of recent times for the occasion? The Nike 'Future DNA' pack saw the look of classic boots from the past wrapped around the current roster, with the Phantom VNM adopting the 2002 Air Zoom Total 90 II look. Simply stunning, and we applaud Lewandowski for giving them a run out post lockdown.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) PUMA Prototype Boot
First up in the blackout prototype boots is Juve's stalwart, Giorgio Chiellini, who turned up for training in the mystery PUMA boot. This boot has already been spotted on the feet of several pros, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Aleksander Kolarov, but now it is popping up on more and more players' feet as the German brand must be edging towards a release date.
Thierry Correia (Valencia) PUMA Prototype Boot
Another player who's giving the mystery PUMA boot a spin is Valencia's Thierry Correia. The boots look to combine some of the best features from both the ONE and Future silos, with indications suggesting that it will replace the former in PUMA's lineup.
Ragnar Sigurdsson (FC Copenhagen) Mizuno Morelia Neo II
Adding in a touch of luxury to their designs, Mizuno dropped the 'Victory Gold' pack back in February, and FC Copenhagen's Ragnar Sigurdsson returned to training in the Morelia Neo II from it. They boast a majestic design that combines a shimmering metallic gold outsole and corresponding Runbird with a pristine pearl white upper.
Justin Kluivert (AS Roma) adidas X 20+
Another German brand getting its prototype out there for a test run, and this time it's adidas and its next generation of X. Again, this one's been spotted on the feet of several pros both pre and post lockdown, and Justin Kluivert becomes the latest player to put it through its paces.
Amadou Diawara (AS Roma) adidas Predator 20.1 Mutator
Sticking with Roma, and Amadou Diawara has slipped into the mid-cut Predator 20.1 Mutator. In the past the Guinean midfielder was seen in a blackout of his usual Nike Mercurial Superfly, followed by the PUMA Future, suggesting that he is currently in between brands and seeing what suits.
Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) adidas Adipure IV
We're accustomed to seeing Ivan Rakitic turning up to training in all manner of throwback Predators, but for the return of football the Croatian maestro has switched things up, pulling on the Adipure IV from 2011.
Manuel Lazzari (Lazio) Lotto Solista 200 III Gravity
In tribute to one of the colourways for the OG laceless Zhero Gravity launched back in 2006, Lotto launched the Solista in a “Diva Blue/White/Skydiver Blue” colourway back in February. With Lotto not benefitting from huge numbers in terms of on-pitch representation, it was on the feet of Lazio's Manuel Lazzari that we got to see the Solista 200 III Gravity in action.
Kevin Knight (Cabinteely FC) adidas Copa Gloro 17
Not one that's often seen on the feet of pros, but the adidas Copa Gloro 17 in that clean "White/Silver Metallic/Red" is one to admire. That combined with the easy comfort that the silo offers could be why Cabinteely FC's Kevin Knight has opted to train in them while observing social distancing. Good lad.
Lucas Leiva (Lazio) Blacked Out Nike Boot
Could this be another prototype on the feet of former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva? The Lazio man normally wears the Tiempo, so the collar would suggest that this isn't a prototype, and the fact that he has been wearing these since before lockdown combined with the upper that looks very much like a Magista suggests that Lucas is more likely out of contract with the Swoosh. Sorry for the tease.
