Umbro Speciali Hall of Fame
The Speciali comes steeped in history, with 5,000 games under its belt at the highest stage. This football boot has scored 775 English top flight goals, including thirty hat-tricks. During the last 20 years, through updates the Umbro Speciali has kept pace with the modern game without sacrificing classic style and leather uppers.
Since its launch, the Speciali boot has graced the feet of countless greats and has featured in many iconic footballing moments. The Speciali has stayed true to Umbro s football boot ethos throughout its 20 years with style, fit and comfort being at the very core of its design.
| Alan Shearer - When it comes to the Umbro Speciali, there will always be one player at the top of everybody's list. As the Premier League's highest ever goalscorer and one of England's finest ever strikers, Alan Shearer is the most iconic face of the Speciali range. After receiving sponsorship from Umbro following a letter asking for a pair of boots, Shearer has broken countless records over the course of his illustriouis career wearing the Speciali. His trusted boots were never short of a goal or two. Shearer knew plenty about hitting the back of the net and famously scored five goals at Euro 96 wearing the Umbro Speciali, helping him secure the title of top goal scorer of the tournament. Shearer always had a great relationship with his Speciali boots.''Once I d worn the Specialis, I just wanted to wear them all the time. I wore them until they dropped off to be honest. What stands out for me is that they re a really pure football boot.'' |
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The Umbro Speciali football boots have long since been a legend in many football players eyes. The Speciali boot has always enjoyed a strong and loyal support from players that required simplified comfort, flexibility and instant glove like fit.
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Michael Owen - If there's one player who could rival Alan Shearer in the Speciali boot stakes, it's Michael Owen. As one of England's top five all-time goal scorers and one-time winner of the European Footballer of the Year, Owen remains one of the boots most iconic faces. With a countless back catalogue of famous goals scored wearing the Umbro Speciali, the Manchester United striker has his fair share of Speciali moments.
None though more famous than his wonder goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. Since that famous day, Owen has continued to knock in the goals wearing his Umbro Speciali football boots at club and international level. ''There was a hat-trick against Newcastle for Liverpool once. I scored for Liverpool on my debut in Speciali's as well, and my England debut. And the City-United derby with the last minute 4-3 winner!'' |
The Umbro Speciali has a strong relation with English football with record-breaking players Alan Shearer and Michael Owen both becoming symbols of the boots success. They have however made an equally strong impact on foreign soil, gaining a strong reputation across the rest of Europe and the world.
| Carlos Valderrama - Considered to be one of Columbia's finest ever players, Carlos ''El Pibe'' Valderrama wore Umbro Speciali football boots between 1996-98. His mass of blonde, permed hair made him one of football's most recognisable faces. His eccentricity contrasted with his footwear, as the Columbian opted for the tradition of the Umbro Speciali during his golden years at Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion. Valderrama won the South American player of the year award twice during his career, in 1987 and 1993. The Columbian was one of the first players to become part of the USA soccer revolution when he moved to the newly formed MLS league in 1995. Wearing Umbro Speciali football boots, ''El Pibe'' played 43 matched for Tampa Bay in 1996 before earning the MLS MVP accolade and the MLS All star of the year award. |
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During the last 20 years, through updates the Umbro Speciali has kept pace with the modern game without sacrificing classic style and leather uppers. Speciali boots have always been designed to give the perfect second skin fit so desired for the football boots of the professional ranks.
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Roberto Carlos - The former Real Madrid Galactico isn't a player you would immediately associate with Umbro. However, the Brazilian was responsible for one of football's most spectacular goals wearing the Umbro Speciali. Roberto Carlos scored his ''impossible'' 35 yard free-kick goal for Brazil against France in Le Tournoi in 1997 wearing Umbro's most famous football boots.
The Umbro Speciali was the boot behind ''the goal that defied physics'' as Roberto Carlos curved his wonder-goal shot sharply past goalkeeper Fabian Barthez. Carlos's 115ft strike has gone down as one of football's most incredible goals - and the Speciali takes its place in the history books alongside it! Since that goal Carlos went on to become a recognised Nike player, becoming one of the lead faces for the Nike Air Zoom Total 90 range alongside Luis Figo.
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When it comes to football boots with a wealth of history and heritage, few rival the Umbro Speciali. Since the days of Shearer and co. to the modern day faces of the range, the Speciali has always been the embodiment of class and style.
| Mark Hughes - The Speciali is also on record as being the boot behind one of English football's most famous last-gasp goals. In 1994 Manchester United were chasing the first double in the club's history, but it took a magnificent late volleyed equaliser from Mark Hughes against Oldham at Wembley to earn United a replay which they would go on to win...and, ultimately, the double. Hughes probably never scored a better goal than his stoppage time volley that earned Manchester United a 1-1 draw with their local rivals. Hughes' Umbro Speciali boots struck the ball from 15 yards out to beat the Oldham keeper, finding the back of the net and ensuring United made history. The former Manchester United and Barcelona striker always favoured classic boots such as the Speciali. Throughout his career, the Welshman wore a variety of traditional football boots including Diadorra, Puma and Nike and Umbro. |
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Boasting over two decades in the game, the Umbro Speciali has been worn by 6 English Golden Boot winners, having scored 775 English top flight goals and 30 top tier hat-tricks along the way! It's 5,000 games and counting for one of football's most famous boots.
From Colombia's finest player El Pipe in his golden years to a Michael Owen wonder goal against Argentina, if these Umbro Speciali football boots could talk they would tell one hell of a story!
