Plenty of new and upcoming releases making their debuts on the pitches across the world this week, and as always they’re joined by loads of throwback classics and special editions. It’s Monday, it’s Boot Spotting, let’s see who made the cut…
Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8
Nike unveiled their first pack of the year today with the 'Spectrum Pack' seeing the new Mercurial Superfly and Vapor joining the Phantom GT and Tiempo Legend 8. But some pros got their hands on the vibrant colour-ups ahead of launch, and Sam Kerr wore – and scored in – the Superfly 8 in Chelsea's surprise 1-2 loss to Brighton yesterday.
Edmilson Junior (Al-Duhail SC) Nike Mercurial Vapor 14
Along with the new 'Spectrum Pack' look for the Mercurial, Nike also completed the 'Black x Prism' pack, dropping a black look for the next gen silo. At the FIFA Club World Cup, which got underway this week, Al-Duhail's Edmilson Junior debuted the Vapor 14 in his side's 1-0 loss to Al Ahly.
Papu Gomez (Sevilla) Next-gen adidas COPA
We're nearing the debut of the next generation adidas COPA, and Sevilla's Papu Gómez has become the latest player to be seen in what appears increasingly likely to be the launch colourway, playing and scoring in them in his side's 3-0 win over Getafe.
Ben Davies (Liverpool) PUMA King Platinum
PUMA dropped the latest edition of the 'Eclipse Pack' last week, with the Future Z and Ultra joined by the King Platinum in blacked out looks. Liverpool new boy laced up in the latter at training as he gets up to the pace of the Premier League.
Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas Predator Mania
Further indications that Gareth Bale's contract with adidas is nearing and end or has already ended, after the Welsh international trained in the recent Predator Mania rerelease in training. It follows Bale playing in older models of the X, suggesting that he has a freedom that only tends to come when out of contract.
Keita Balde (Sampdoria) Nike Mercurial Vapor 14
While not one but two new colourways of the new Mercurial dropped today, the special edition launch colorway, dubbed 'Dragonfly', still catches the eye, with it's unique look. The latest player to be spotted wearing the Vapor edition was Sampdoria's Keita Balde, with the Senegalese international scoring an 80th minute equaliser in them in Sampdoria's game against Benevento.
Michael Cuisance (Marseille) adidas Predator Absolute EC
Still love seeing the adidas 'Eternal Class' Predator Accelerator in action, and Marseille's Michael Cuisance is the latest player to be spotted wearing the Boxing Day drop, training in them ahead of his side's crunch clash with PSG.
Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX
Serge Aurier is certainly a man who likes to stand out from the crowd, as exemplified by his often retro boot choices. And this week, in Spurs' 2-0 win over West Brom, he opted for the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX from 2013.
Kenneth Zohore (Millwall) Nike Mercurial Vapor TC
Kenneth Zahore brought Millwall level from the spot against Sheffield Wednesday at The Den on the weekend, before the home side romped to an eventual 4-1 win, and he did so in last year's Mercurial Vapor from the 'Tech Craft' pack. The design paid homage to the original Nike Tiempo look from the 1994 World Cup, with the leather upper riding in on that orange soleplate.
Ross Barkley (Aston Villa) adidas Predator Mutator .1
Could be that Ross Barkley is on the move from Nike, with the Villa midfielder training in the adidas Predator Mutator. Clearly not trying to hide the fact either, opting for the incredibly bright 'Locality Pack' colourway.
Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) Nike CTR360 Maestri II
Sticking with Aston Villa, and a player that could pretty much have his own dedicated Boot Spotting page in Tyrone Mings. This week, Mings opted to wear the Nike CTR360 Maestri II from the 'Clash Pack' in training.
Mesut Ozil (Fenerbahce) adidas Predator Accelerator ZZ
Nice to see that Mesut Ozil remembered to pack his gloriously golden Predator Accelerator '25 year of Predator' Zidane edition boots when he left London for Istanbul. The Fenerbahçe playmaker continues to enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a contract, training in these and playing in the Nike 'Euphoria Gold' Mercurial.
