With the tournament in Qatar edging ever closer, brands having been revealing their packs for the World Cup, and athletes have duly been switching into them. That makes up a large part of this week’s Boot Spotting, as well as some other special editions, future releases and throwbacks.
Neymar (PSG) PUMA Future Z 1.4
Easy one to start things off, with Neymar grabbing the only goal in a typically feisty 'Le Classique', and he did so in the new PUMA World Cup colourway for the Future Z 1.4.
Antoinne Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) PUMA Ultra Ultimate
Joining Neymar in the new PUMA 'Fearless Pack' look was Antoinne Griezmann, who laced up the Ultra Ultimate and again scored the only goal in Atletico's win over Athletic Club. Honestly, is there a better boot/kit combo in the game right now?
Mason Mount (Chelsea) Nike Phantom Ultra Venom
Having worn the initial colourway of the limited edition Nike Phantom Ultra Venom recently, Mason Mount made the switch to the new “Black/Pink Blast” look, and it apparently suited him very well, with the midfielder bagging a brace against Villa.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) New Balance Furon v7
New Balance unveiled their new World Cup pack today, the 'Headline Taker' pack, but ahead of that launch Bukayo Saka gave us an early preview of the Furon v7, scoring the only goal in Arsenal's win over Leeds.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Chelsea) Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has always been a fan of switching things up on the boot front, and now he's bringing that to new club Chelsea, wearing the special edition Nike Mercurial Superfly IV ‘What the Mercurial’ in Chelsea's game against Aston Villa.
Lucy Bronze (England) Nike Tiempo Legend IX
More special edition drops, and this time it's the Nike Tiempo Legend IX 'Made in Italy'. Many Tiempo players opting to give this one a spin, and one of them was Lucy Bronze, who wore them in the Lionesses recent matches against the USWNT and Czech Republic.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) adidas prototype
Getting a first look at some future releases, and first up is Gabriel Jesus, who trained in a mystery adidas prototype. Presume that it is a very early look at the next generation of X, but it is very early given that the Speedportal isn't all that old.
Jurrien Timber (Ajax) adidas Next Gen COPA
Over to Amsterdam, and we got a look at the next gen COPA on the feet of Ajax's Jurrien Timber. The COPA is certainly due an upgrade, and Timber is one of a few athletes that have been spotted in this blacked out prototype, suggesting a release won't be all that far off.
David Alaba (Real Madrid) adidas Predator Edge .1 low
Real Madrid took the spoils in this weekend's El Clasico, and David Alaba wore the Predator Edge .1 low from the adidas 'Al Rihla' pack for the occasion.
Son Heung Min (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas X Speedportal +
Son has found a bit of form of late, scoring a brace in Spurs' 3-2 Champions League win against Eintracht Frankfurt, and he did so in the X Speedportal + from the 'Al Rihla' pack.
Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers) adidas COPA Sense +
Completing the 'Al Rihla' pack, Wolves' Matheus Nunes wore the adidas COPA Sense + in his side's 1-0 win against Noottingham Forest.