Weekend Football Boots Spotting - 18/04/11
We have league and cup action from around the globe for this week's instalment of SoccerBible's 'Boot Spotting'. On show was a variety of brand new football boots, along with a host of customised boots, check out the best of the football boots on show this weekend here...
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) Nike CTR360 Maestri II |
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One of the biggest games of the weekend was El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and a great boot spot came from one of the stars of the show Andres Iniesta. Iniesta was sporting a customised sole-plate on his Nike CTR360 Maestri II football boots, and as you can see the clear studs have a bespoke configuration. |
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Faryd Mondragon (Philadelphia Union) adidas World Cup |
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Mondragon is now plying his trade in the MLS, but at one time he was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It's great to see a traditional boot on show, with Mondragon wearing the adidas World Cup football boots. But there's no chance of a team-mate picking up the wrong boots with his huge tongue and personalisation. |
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Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic) Nike Vapor Superfly III |
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There aren't too many pro's who have chosen to wear the Photo Blue Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly III football boots. But Hugo Rodallega is one of those players who always attempts to be different with his choice of footwear, and the blue makes a great match for his Wigan kit. |
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Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) Nike CTR360 Maestri Elite |
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A former Puma King wearer, and a current Puma Glove wearer, we were surprised to see Arsenal's Szczesny switch into Nike CTR360 Maestri football boots. But having said that he does join team-mates Fabregas, Wilshere, Song and Diaby who all wear CTR's. |
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Yaya Toure (Man City) Nike T90 Laser III |
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It's a bit of a mystery whether Yaya Toure is endorsed by a brand when you look at his footwear. Clearly he's a fan of the Nike T90 Laser III football boots after wearing them all season, but his own customisation would make you think he's not on Nike s book. |
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Tony Tchani (Toronto) adidas adizero RS7 |
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It's a great colour choice from former Pred wearer Tony Tchani, who was sporting the red adizero RS7 boots this weekend. With an upper coloured the same as the outsole, the boots make a great visual impact on pitch, and obviously the longer studs aren't an issue for Tony. |
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Marek Hamsik (Napoli) Nike CTR360 Maestri/Tiempo Legend |
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Marek Hamsik is a little undecided on his boot choice at the moment, as in recent weeks he has sported both the CTR360 Maestri and the Tiempo Legend. And against Udinese this was certainly the case, as he switched boot silo's during the game.. |
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nike CR Mercurial Vapor Superfly |
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The Nike CR Mercurial football boots were one of the most highly anticipated boot releases of 2011, so all eyes were on Ronaldo as he gave the boots their on-pitch debut. With their unique design and colours the boots really popped-out when on pitch, and Ronaldo duly delivered by scoring from the penalty spot. |
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Dani Alves (Barcelona) adidas F50 adizero |
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For some reason Alves decided to switch back into the Cyan adizero football boots to face Real Madrid. He hasn't previously worn them against Madrid, so we don't think they're a good luck charm, rather he just preferred that colourway for the night. |
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Jean-Louis Leca (Valenciennes) Pantofola d'Oro Lazzarini Canguro |
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A good one from our eagle-eyed boot spotters, who found Valenciennes substitute goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca sporting a stylish pair of Pantofola d'Oro Lazzarini football boots, a kangaroo leather boot coloured red and a great match for his football strip. |
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Marcelo (Real Madrid) Nike Vapor Superfly III |
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Marcelo made his first competitive appearance wearing the new Nike Vapor Superfly III football boots, and unlike on his previous Superfly's which he has customised with different coloured laces, Marcelo was happy to wear the standard versions. |
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Mauro Zarate (Lazio) adidas F50 adizero |
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A former Vapor wearer, Mauro Zarate might need to re-paint his football boots if he doesn't want Nike to find out he's wearing a rival boot, as you can clearly see the paint has worn off to reveal the adidas stripes on his adizero. |
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Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal) Puma v1.10 |
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Eboue was in the latest colourway for the Puma v1.10 football boots. The Olympian Blue colour seems to be popular with the players as Samuel Eto'o is sporting the same colour for his v1.10 SL's. Speaking of being popular, Eboue may be keeping a low-profile after giving away a 100th minute penalty against Liverpool! |
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Salomon Kalou (Chelsea) adidas F50 adizero |
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Another player switching back into his old adizero football boots was Salomon Kalou, but his boot choice is perfectly understandable as the green colourway compliments the Chelsea Away kit. Kalou was given the nod ahead of Torres and Anelka, and delivered with a goal in the 26th minute. |
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Emma (Borussia Dortmund) Kappa Custom |
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We haven't had a mascot spot in a little while, so here's Emma from Borussia Dortmund who undoubtedly has the most bespoke boots of the weekend! Emma was sporting a pair of Kappa football boots, which as you can see have the proper lacing and stitching...good effort! |
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SoccerBible thanks goes to Boot Spotting contributors Lachlan Millist, Amer Kreho, Ahmet Feridun Sahin, Pier Lombardi and Hidenao Abe. If there are any players and boots you've spotted and think should feature on this page, mail us at: u2us@soccerbible.com putting 'Boot Spotting' in the subject field.