Domestic action returned this week after the international break, and with it was several switch ups, as players slipped into the latest releases, custom creations, and some throwback classics. It’s Monday, it’s Boot Spotting, let’s see who made the cut…
Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona) PUMA Ultra Speed of Light
Last week, PUMA launched the Ultra 'Speed of Light', which saw the upper completely reengineered with Aramid fibres and Carbon yarns to provide lightweight lockdown for higher speeds. Ultra main man Antoine Griezmann debuted the “NRGY Blue/Yellow Alert” colourway as his side crashed to a 1-0 defeat to former side Atletico Madrid.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) adidas Nemeziz .1
adidas launched the 'Precision to Blur' pack recently, with the wavy new Nemeziz 'Shapeshifter' fronting the set. Now, Leo Messi has made the switch into the eye-catching colourway for Barca's match with Atletico. The design sees a psychedelic shapeshifting upper optic accomplished through a 3D screen print.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) New Balance Furon v6
New Balance continue to make moves on the pitch, with several players having been seen in new colourways over recent weeks. But Sadio Mane remains the brand's main man, and he was spotted training in what appears to be the next on-pitch colourway for the Furon v6. He was back in his 'Ignite Hype' colourway for Liverpool's 3-0 win over Leicester on the weekend though.
Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
One to watch, Youssoufa Moukoko made his Borussia Dortmund debut this weekend, coming off the bench for the 5-2 triumph over Hertha and making Bundesliga history while he was at it as the league's youngest ever player. And he did so in a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII, customised through the Nike By You service, which saw a combination of volt and black across the upper, accentuating the white lightning Swoosh.
Nathan Redmond (Southampton) Nike Mercurial Superfly GS360
Always one to catch our eye and make this list, the Nike Mercurial Superfly GS360 was spotted on the feet of Southampton's Nathan Redmond in the Saints' training. For those not familiar, the boots and their packaging are made from 100% recycled materials and each pair is individually numbered on the heel. No clue which of the 2018 pairs Redmond got his hands on...
Chris Fuhrich (Paderborn) adidas X +F50 Tunit
Dropping in on Bundesliga 2 for a double dose of spots from Paderborn's 2-0 win over FC St. Pauli, and starting with one of the goal scorers, Chris Führich. The German laced up in the adidas X 506+ Tunit, which launched back in September last year. It combined the modern X with the original and iconic F50.6 Tunit, which debuted back in 2006 ahead of the World Cup in Germany.
Marco Terrazzino (Paderborn) adidas Predator Instinct
And the second spot from the Paderborn v FC St. Pauli game came courtesy of midfielder Marco Terrazzino, who came on as a sub wearing the adidas Predator Instinct 'Supernatural', which originally debuted back in time for Halloween 2014.
Josh Magennis (Hull City) Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL
Josh Magennis found the back of the net twice in the first 15 minutes of Hull's 3-1 win over MK Dons. Then he swapped into the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL for the second half and didn't score again. The Mercurial Vapor IV SL was released in 2007 and featured a full Teijin synthetic upper combined with a 6 studded pattern and the introduction of the lacecover. Collectors item.
Amine Harit (Schalke) adidas Adipure IV
Schalke lost 2-0 to Wolfsburg on the weekend, but Amine Harit got the award for best boot on show with the adidas Adipure IV. Originally released in 2011, it was made with a 'OneTouch' construction design which supports the natural stretch of kangaroo leather, while also being extremely water-tight to stay comfortable and lightweight in all weather conditions. Proper boot.
Ryan Kent (Rangers) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
Another player taking advantage of the Nike By You service was Rangers' Ryan Kent, who scored the opener in his side's 4-0 win over Aberdeen. Kent customised his Mercurial Vapors with a combination of volt and white, punctuated by red accents, notably on the Swoosh.
Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan) PUMA Ultra 1.1
The latest player to seemingly have switched the Swoosh for PUMA, AC Milan's Hakan Çalhanoğlu played in his side's 3-1 win over Napoli in the new Ultra. More evidence of Nike shifting to the younger breed, punctuated by the fact they had nine of the top 10 candidates for the recent Golden Boy awards...
Thanawat Suengchitthawon (Leicester City) Nike CTR Maestri III
Young French-Thai midfielder Thanawat Suengchitthawon continues to try to make an impression at Leicester since joining in September, and his latest plan seems to be to wear some throwback fire, in the form of the Nike CTR Maestri III. Made from Kanga-Lite 2.0, which is a synthetic material that emulates leather, the boot was renowned for its light weight comfort back in 2011.
