Nike CTR360 Maestri III Hits Pre-Season
Pre-season is here and one boot that hasn't been shy on the pre-season scene is the upcoming Nike CTR360 Maestri III. Ahead of its official launch, a number of professionals have been giving the bright yellow boots an early run-out.
For a brand that managed to keep one of the years most revolutionary speed boots under wraps prior to launch - the Nike GS - they haven't been so top-secret with the CTR360 Maestri III. Images have been circulating for some time now and with the 12/13 season approaching, Nike can't be far away from landing their highly anticipated control boots.
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Arsenal's first team returned to training this week, with two young Gunners joining the ranks. Martin Angha and Spanish youth international Jon Toral were both in action wearing the Nike CTR360 Maestri III, while Brazilian left-back Andre Santos was trying his best to regain some fitness wearing the new boots!
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Stuttgart duo Maza Rodriguez and Zdravko Kuzmanovic have been two early adopters of the Nike CTR360 Maestri III, putting the boots into competitive action against FC Heidenheim. Both were wearers of the CTR last season, but must have some good contacts at Nike to bag a pair this early!
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The new CTR360 is expected to land in early August with a full redesign, making the Maestri III one of the years most anticipated football boot releases. In comparison to the update between the Maestri I and Maestri II, Nike have made big changes to their third generation CTR. With a number of new features from the upper to the sole-plate, it's no surprise to see professionals wanting to test out their pair early.
PSG defender Mamadou Sakho has been one of the highest profile players to put the CTR360 Maestri III into action. The French international has returned to pre-season training wearing the distinctly yellow and black boots, giving us an indication that he's ready to commit to the CTR after a season of flurry between the Tiempo and Maestri II.
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Of all the changes Nike have brought to the CTR360 Maestri III, the most noticeable is the new pass feature on the instep. Nike have replaced the pass-pad used on both the first and second edition CTR boots. In its place come eight 3D raised strips, designed to bring the boot a greater level of passing accuracy.
Professoinal CTR players were known to favour custom sole-plates. The CTR360 Maestri III will bring a revamped TPU FG stud arrangement, and while Nike will not offer an elite level carbon-fibre edition, there will also be an SG-Pro plate boot.
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The control benefits previously offered by the dampening pods on the forefoot of the boot have now been integrated into the redesigned upper. A new dimpled surface will provide enhanced ball control properties. This change was made after Nike received pro feedback stating that players did not favour the raised design of the dampening pods.
As for the colourway, it's the same two-tone design we've come to expect from the CTR. Nike will launch with the Yellow/Black boot, while there will also be a supporting Black/White/Crimson colourway. Expect all of the usual CTR faces from Iniesta to Wilshere to begin the 12/13 season wearing the new CTR360 Maestri III.
Let us know your first impressions of the new Nike CTR360 Maestri III football boots. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
