Global Football Boots Spotting - 23/07/12

Jay Spearing (Liverpool) Nike CTR360 Maestri III

The new Nike CTR360 football boots are one of the worst kept secrets in the boot world, as players across the globe have been sporting their new boots ahead of the official launch. Credit to Jay Spearing though, as he is one of the few players to attempt to mask his boots, albeit it looks like Jay has just taken a black permanent marker to the upper!

Nahomi Kawasumi (Japan) adidas Pathique X Custom

Kawasumi was probably wearing the most eye-catching football boots this weekend as Japan warmed up for the Olympics. The adidas Pathique boots are exclusive to the Japanese market, and Kawasumi's pink pair could have been worn for charity as part of cancer awareness.

Ramiro Lago (Val Venosta) Nike Mercurial Vapor II

We love an old pair of Nike Vapor football boots, and it's great to still see them on-pitch considering the pairs SoccerBible own are now in our presentation cabinets. The Vapor II is a boot from 2004 and was predominantly worn by the original Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. A unique colourway, Lago's pair are a great match for his football strip.

Neymar (Brazil) Nike GS

The Nike GS is one of the most sensational football boots of all time, blending innovation, design and materials. We were expecting an impressive debut then, and that's exactly what we got as Neymar was not only on the score-sheet but assisted Sandro's goal, and then dazzled throughout with his skill. Interestingly, Neymar was sporting a mixed stud sole-plate, which is unlike the moulded stud versions available in limited numbers to order.

Tyler Blackett   Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) Nike Tiempo Legend IV

Jesse Lingard was spotted last week wearing the new colourway for the Tiempo Legend, and he continued to wear them during the weekend's friendly match along with Manchester United team-mate Tyler Blackett. A classic combination, the Black/Red/White colours look classy and stylish especially with the red laces, making the new Tiempo's a great match for any United, Liverpool or Arsenal player.

Dante (Bayern Munich) Puma King SL

He's not yet worn them competitively, but Bayern Munich's Dante has been sporting the new Black/White/Green Puma King SL's during training in pre-season. You do think if he's wearing them during training it would make sense to try them out in the friendly matches, as the boots have already been unveiled.

David Luiz (Chelsea) Nike CTR360 Maestri III

Another player not too bothered about the embargo date is David Luiz, who was sporting the new CTR360 football boots during Chelsea's US tour. Visually the boots look quite different to the previous versions, and when we can officially reveal the boot we'll be able to find out about the technical innovations for the CTR360 III.

Bilel Mohsni (West Ham) Nike Mercurial Vapor VII Custom

Possibly a pair of Nike ID boots which Mohsni has further customised to there is no branding visible. We were able to decide Bilel Mohsni's boots are Nike Mercurials thanks to the sole-plate, which due to the soft ground stud plate must be a Vapor VII, and we have to say the all whited-out versions are quite cool.

Bebe (Manchester United) Puma evoSPEED

The last time Bebe pulled on a United shirt he was wearing a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II boots, 17 months down the line the £7.2 million Portuguese winger has swapped the Swoosh for a pair of Puma evoSPEED's as he scored a last gasp equaliser against Ajax Cape Town.

Raman Chibsah (Parma) Lotto Fuerzapura III 100

Recent Parma signing Raman Chibsah will be hungry to impress after his move from Juventus and he'll be hard to miss in the Red/White Lotto Fuerzapura III 100 football boots. After predominantly featuring for Juve's reserve side last season Chibsah will looking for regular first team football at his new club.  

Jon Flanagan (Liverpool) adidas Predator LZ Custom

Looks like we aren't the only ones that would love to see adidas release the Predator LZ in the famous Black/White/Red colourway! The vibrant LZ releases clearly haven't impressed Jon Flanagan as the young Liverpool defender has taken matters into his own hands and given his LZ's the old Sharpie treatment.

Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur) Nike CTR360 Maestri III

Returning to pre-season after being loaned out to Aston Villa, Jermaine Jenas was sporting the unreleased Nike CTR360 Maestri III as Tottenham kicked off their friendly fixtures. We're predicting the new CTR will have a big part to play next season, as for Jenas, making just 155 appearances in 7 years, his future at Spurs remains in the balance.

Connor Wickham (Sunderland) Umbro GT II Pro

Long term Umbro striker Connor Wickham has been a lead player in the GT since his £8 million move to Sunderland from Ipswich Town. An Umbro man throughout his career, Wickham has stayed loyal to the brand and is currently wearing the Violet/Blue/Green GT II Pro colourway during his side's tour of South Korea.

Steven Pienaar (Tottenham Hotspur) Puma evoSPEED

After signing for Puma in July 2011 Pienaar was one of the brands top performers during his loan spell at Everton last season, so it's no surprise to see the South African midfielder in the new evoSPEED as he returns to pre-season. Constantly linked with a move back to Everton it remains to be seen whether Pienaar still has a future at White Hart Lane.

Younes Kaboul (Tottenham Hotspur) Nike CTR360 Maestri III

Another Tottenham man to upgrade to the next generation CTR360 is big French defender Younes Kaboul. After making the switch from Vapor to CTR at the end of the 2010/11 season the Spurs man has never looked back and will wear Nike's premium control boot as Tottenham look to put together another top 4 charge.