Creative Soccer Culture

Global Football Boots Spotting - 28/08/12

Global Football Boots Spotting - 28/08/12


With the new season fully under way after last week's official curtain-raiser to the new European campaign, it's been a busy time for our intrepid SoccerBible boot-spotters! Check out some of the most recent players and football boots we've spied on pitches across the continent.

Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse) adidas Predator LZ

Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko gave us an early look at the next adidas Predator LZ colourway, scoring in his sides 1-0 win over Ligue 1 rivals Nancy. Sissoko had previously been wearing the f50 adizero miCoach, but like so many professionals has switched to the Predator LZ. The new colourway is scheduled for a mid-September release.

 

Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid) adidas Predator LZ

We just don't know what's going on with Mesut Ozil right now, but we're desperate for answers! From our understanding, the German international is under a five-year endorsement deal with Nike worth $28m. So why he's worn the adidas Predator LZ on two occasions already this season is a real mystery! The fact he's had the boots personalised suggests there's a little more to this switch than we initially thought.

 

Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham) adidas Predator adiPower

Just when Tottenham kit suppliers Under Armour thought they had landed a Spurs player to help back their boots, Benoit Assou-Ekotto has returned to his old tricks sporting an odd pair of adidas Predator adiPower football boots. The Tottenham full back had kicked off the season wearing the Under Armour Hydrastrike Pro.

 

May Mahlangu (Helsingborg) Puma v1.10 SL

Wearing odd football boots is a craze that has understandably never caught on. Only a handful of professional football players are known for it, but for Helsinborg midfielder May Mahlangu this isn't the first time he's been caught in the act - in 2011 it was the same. The South African was spotted wearing two colourways of the Puma v1.10 SL during his sides recent Swedish league match with Djurgardens.

 

Robin Van Persie (Manchester United) adidas Predator adiPower

Robin Van Persie netted his first goal for Manchester United in his sides 3-2 defeat of Fulham at Old Trafford. Since making the switch from Arsenal, the Dutchman has been training and playing in the adidas Predator adiPower - we don't know if this is down to superstitious or performance reasons. Either way adidas - who have Van Persie under a lengthy contract - won't be happy.

 

Chico (Swansea) Mizuno Wave Ghost

The Mizuno Wave Ghost was a flop. As one of Mizuno's earliest efforts into the lightweight speed market, the boots never took off and were quickly dumped by Mizuno. So it's always a surprise to see them still out there, especially when you compare them to the brands hugely popular Morelia Neo. Swansea's Chico was spotted wearing the Wave Ghost boots during his sides Premier League match with West Ham United.

 

Gary Cahill (Chelsea) adidas Predator LZ

Umbro have taken two big hits since the start of the season. From the looks of things, they've lost Gael Clichy and Gary Cahill - two of their biggest names. The Premier League duo have left the brand in favour of adidas, both choosing to wear the popular adidas Predator LZ. Chelsea defender Gary Cahill was a long term Umbro player who was previously wearing the Umbro Speciali 3.

 

Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City) adidas Predator LZ

Among the eclectic mix of adidas Predators in this edition of Boot Spotting, is Teal Bunbury who is seemingly still one of the few players to be wearing the new Gold/White/Black versions. We understand if adidas are keeping their endorsed athletes in the launch colours, but would expect more independent athletes to branch out.

 

Walter Kannemann (San Lorenzo) adidas adizero RS7

We've previously seen Luis Suarez sport the rugby versions of the adizero, which offer a completely different, simpler and perhaps more fresh design than their football counterparts. Playing for San Lorenzo, Walter Kannemann is a young defensive player who clearly wants his own look on pitch.

 

Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII

Not so much a boot spot here, as an opportunity to show Luka Modric wearing the new Real Madrid kit. Frustratingly for adidas it's another Nike wearer playing for the club, but they could be countering this if Ozil continues to surprise everyone and wear the Pred LZ's.

 

Cesar Navas (Rubin Kazan) adidas adiPure IV Custom

A nice unique pair of customised boots on show here. Navas has settled on the adiPure IV as the boot for him, so why not take it to the next stage and build a bespoke pair for yourself? Navas has created a pair of Silver/Yellow boots with a stylish White outsole.

 

Jermaine Pennant (Stoke City) adidas Predator DB LZ

Jermaine Pennant is known for wearing a multitude of football boots, in the last 12 months alone he was worn adiPures, CR7 Mercurials and Predators. Not for the first time, Pennant was sporting David Beckham's signature range, and the Pink versions have been quite popular as we've also seen Paul Pogba and Henri Lansbury wearing the DB's.

 

Marcelo (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial Vapor VII

Marcelo returned to his old Nike Mercurial Vapor VII football boots for the second time this season. Despite training in the Vapor VIII Clash colourway, the Brazilian made the surprise switch in Real Madrid's first leg SuperCoppa match against Barcelona in mid-week. For Madrid's weekend clash with Getafe, Marcelo favoured his old boots again, this time with different coloured laces.

 

Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) Lotto Fuerzapura III 100

Lotto put up a strong showing over the summer with a host of new releases, namely the Italian decorated Potenza catching the eye. It's great to see therefore, the new Lotto releases filtering their way onto pitches around the globe for the new domestic season. Ranocchia has been a Fuerzapura wearer since the boots launch, and was spotted here for Inter wearing the latest Red/White versions.

 

David Trezeguet (River Plate) Topper Habilidad Supreme

Similar to Clarence Seedorf moving to Brazil, David Trezeguet is another European legend to have made the move to South America, playing for Argentinean side River Plate. Trezeguet has fully embraced his move by signing for Topper sports, the South American brand, and is wearing their Habilidad Supreme's

 

If there are any players boots that you've spotted and think we should feature, mail us at: u2us@soccerbible.com putting 'Boot Spotting' in the subject field.

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