Let’s forget the nonsense and keep our eyes on the action on the pitch, yeah? With that in mind, what better than a bit of Boot Spotting; the return of MLS joins domestic action across the globe, as we scout out the best of the new releases, special editions, throwback classics and upcoming drops.
Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) adidas X Ghosted+
adidas teamed up with Marvel this week for a special edition double drop, which saw the X Ghosted paired with the Predator Freak in some X-Men stylings. One of the main players to slip into the X Ghosted+ variation was Borussia Dortmund's Gio Reyna, who scored BVB's opener in their 4-1 win over Werder Bremen. Boots looked the part alongside Dortmund's special edition retro kit too...
Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyon) adidas Predator Freak+
For the adidas x Marvel X-Men pack, the style of the Predator Freak looks almost tailor made for the look of Wolverine. The design takes on a split yellow and black colourway, matching Logan's costume, with 'Wolverine' replacing 'Predator on the tip of the collar in the same Predator font, along with other X-Men callouts and old Wolvie's claw marks on the heel. Great look for Wendie Renard to take on, although she was unable to prevent her side slipping to a 2-1 loss to PSG in the Champions League.
Vivienne Miedema (Arsenal) adidas X Ghosted .1
Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema opted for the X Ghosted.1 in her side's 10-0 humiliation of Gillingham in the FA Cup this week. The boot design took on leader of the X-Men, Cyclops as its inspiration. It combined blue, yellow and red palettes throughout, along with the Cyclops logo on the outstep and on the heels, with the Marvel X-Men branding on the instep.
Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Nike Mercurial Vapor 14
Nike turned their special edition treatment back on the Mercurial line this week, with the launch of the Vapor and Superfly 'Safari', which updated the iconic print for a modern look that’s set to shimmer on the pitches of the Champions League. That last fact didn't stop Wolves' Morgan Gibbs-White lacing up in the Vapor 14 for training this week though.
Ola Aina (Fulham) adidas COPA Sense+
Adidas are set to launch their last pack of the 20/21 campaign any day now, but ahead of that launch players have been spotted in the upcoming colourways. One of the first players to show off the COPA Sense+ in a match was Fulham's Ola Aina, who wore them in his side's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
James Rodriguez (Everton) adidas X Ghosted.1
Showing off the upcoming X Ghosted colourway in a match was Everton's James Rodriguez. The Colombian playmaker laced up the .1 version for the Toffees' 2-2 draw with Spurs.
Eder Militao (Real Madrid) adidas Predator Freak+
Real Madrid's title tilt took a stumble this weekend with a 0-0 draw against Getafe, but aside from their under par performance, central defender Éder Militão was spotted in the new look for the Predator Freak+, which continues the pink hues that carry across the pack.
Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United) adidas Nemeziz+
Rounding off the upcoming pack from Adidas was the Nemeziz, which was seen on the feet of Sheffield United's Jayden Bogle in the Blades' 1-0 loss to Wolves. It was a loss that sadly saw Sheffield United relegated to the championship, but the salmon-esque hues of the Nemeziz combined well with the team's kit. Take the small wins, eh?
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) New Balance Furon v6+
The rumours linking Raheem Sterling with a switch to New Balance continue to gain momentum, and they've been fuelled further with the England man lacing up in the Furon v6+ 'Sweet Chaos' for City's loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup. It's the first time Sterling has been seen in an in-line colourway, suggesting an announcement may be imminent...
Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy) Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
MLS returned this weekend, and Javier Hernandez provided his first brace for LA Galaxy in their 3-2 comeback win over Inter Miami. The Mexican appears to be currently enjoying being free of a boot contract, changing up his footwear as he pleases. For the season opener he opted for the Nike Mercurial Superfly IV, originally released in 2014.
Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) Nike Hypervenom Phantom I
Rolling things back to 2013, RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku laced up in the original launch colourway for the Hypervenom Phantom I for his side's uninspiring 0-0 with Hoffenheim.
Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) Next-Gen Nike Tiempo Legend 9
Virgil Van Dijk continues his rehabilitation from long-term injury, and he's taken to the training ground in the Nike Tiempo Legend 9 prototype. It's been spotted around a few times already now, but this spot gives a great look at the reworked heel.
Fernandinho (Manchester City) Next-Gen PUMA Ultra
Fernandinho becomes the latest player to give the next generation PUMA Ultra a run out. The look again shows off the form fitting look of the new boot, which suggest some tweaks to the upper.
