Throwback Thursday | Nike Mercurial R9
Throwback Thursday | Nike Mercurial R9
We take a look back at a signature R9 classic from 1999.
Taking centre stage on Throwback Thursday this week is the Nike Mercurial R9. One of the most recognisable football boots of all time and made in 1998 for Brazil's Ronaldo, the Mercurial R9 set the benchmark for lightweight boot design.
This black/white/blue colourway was the second of the R9 series and was worn by Ronaldo throughout the 1999/2000 season for Inter Milan. This rare colourway followed on from the first ever Nike Mercurial R9 worn in the 1998 World Cup by El Fenomeno. 
The Mercurial R9 was designed with a synthetic material on the upper of the boot to reduce weight and the white waves on the boot were designed to improve ball control; a sticky coated substance was strategically placed on parts of the boot to aid first touch and swerve.
Made in Italy the Nike Mercurial R9 was lighter than any other boot in the game at the time of its release. Visually the black/white/blue design was more subdued than the launch colourway and as with the rest of the collection featured the famous R9 logo on the tongue of the boot. 
Did you have a pair of Nike Mercurial R9's?
