Where to start? 2016 won't go down in memory as one of mankind's finest, but that's a different story for a very different site. For adidas Football, it was nothing short of spectacular. A landmark year of fresh innovation, revolution consolidation and brand image transformation. Oh, and lot's of dabbing.
Building on the adidas Football Revolution that launched in 2015, adidas flew out of the blocks with a refreshed, recharged status, full of next-level technology bursting out of their global HQ in Herzogenaurach. An overhaul of successful footballing product delivered with such precision quickly banished any memories of yesteryear, along with a drop after drop of Limited Collection charisma and viral genius. Here's your pick of adidas Football 2016...
Platinum Messi 15 - adidas kicked off the year by looking back to celebrate Lionel Messi's astonishing 2015. The 2015 Ballon d'Or winner was honoured with with a pristine platinum design on his signature football boot - the colour of perfection. The Spanish phrase found on the insole of the boot read "el más grande de todos los tiempos" meaning "the greatest of all time".
ACE 16+ Purecontrol - It's hard to believe the Purecontrol only arrived this year. Launched in January, the silo has gone on to shape a year of success for adidas with its ground-breaking laceless technology. Building on the adidas Football Revolution of 2015, the Purecontrol was more than just the release of the year for adidas, it could well be the release of the decade for the Three Stripes.
Fluid & Etch - The 2016 limited edition game was a strong one for adidas. Gradually picking up pace as the year went on, starting with the Fluid & Etch pack in March. The X and ACE silos were dropped in two options – the Fluid pack drenched in black and the Etch pack coated in luxurious k-leather.
Pogba Purecontrol - After finally signing with the brand in March, adidas presented Paul Pogba with a limited edition version of the ACE 16+ Purecontrol in his trademark black and gold pairing. Adidas couldn't have signed Pogba at a better time. They had a key asset with bags of character and Pogba would go on to play a huge role in the brand's PR work throughout they year.
Porsche Design Sport x Football - Two German powerhouses combined for a collaboration that embraced high performance and premium engineering in March. The adidas Porsche Design Sport football boot marked the latest drop from the adidas Limited Collection. Unusual and unexpected. Two welcomed assets for any limited edition in our book. 
X 15+ SL - The curtain closed on the first-generation X with one last hurrah in the shape of a Super-light edition of the X 15+. Brought out in April and worn by a number of top X players in the run up to the 2016 European Championships. An under the radar release that marked the end of the first adidas Football Revolution chapter.
COPA SL - The famed Copa silo was thrown back into the spotlight in 2016 as adidas woke the dormant legend. The most iconic football boot of all time received a rare and modern update to arrive as a special edition of twisted tradition in the adidas Limited Collection. Out of nowhere, we has an adidas Copa SL.
Deadly Focus - More limited edition magic landed in May as adidas dropped the Deadly Focus pack. Created in partnership with Italian design company Italia Independent, adidas fused football and fashion to create another addition to their Limited Collection. The last release ahead of the summer tournament celebrations.
Euro 16 Mercury Pack - EURO 2016 marked the arrival of the next-generation adidas X 16+ Purechaos as part of the Mercury Pack and the 'First Never Follows' campaign. Every adidas player at EURO 2016 was equipped with their shimmering metallic footwear to create a dazzling on-pitch display in France. Pogba at the heart of the campaign video, compulsory dabs all-round.
Paris Pack - With the action well underway, adidas added another drop of Chaos and Control in the mix. Paying homage to the host nation of UEFA EURO 2016, the Paris Pack arrived as a limited edition collection of footwear for the pitch and street, inspired by the French capital.
ACE 16+ Purecontrol UltraBoost - Taking their revolution to new places, adidas launched an off-pitch interpretation of the ACE 16+ Purecontrol. The Purecontrol UltraBOOST launched as a landmark shoe for the Three Stripes that merged the worlds of football and running to mix up football-inspired lifestyle movement. The shoe that highlighted the strongest sneaker game of the year for any brand. The triple white a solid favourite.
99g Boot - In August adidas launched a limited edition update of the world’s lightest football boot. 99g of stylised innovation. Just 299 pairs of the boots landed, each individually numbered on the heel but only available in a size 8.5 uk.
Pogba x Stormzy x MUFC - The PR move of the year goes hands down to adidas in the way they orchestrated Paul Pogba's move to Manchester United. Following on from the Blah, blah, blah video that teased where Pogba would end up, the Pogba x Stormzy video announced that the Frenchman had returned to Old Trafford. The Three Stripes played the transfer window through tinted glass.
Viper Pack - Adidas kicked off the new domestic season with a new collection of Purecontrol and Purechaos boots constricted by a Viper wrap that delivered a crushing design. Launched in limited numbers and worn by Paul Pogba for a handful of games, the Viper Pack begun a double-barrelled blast of quick-fire releases at the end of 2016 for adidas.
Space Craft Pack - The adidas Limited Collection was well stocked and polished by the time the Space Craft series dropped. Released, once again, in minimal numbers in both ACE 16+ Purecontrol and X 16+ Purechaos editions, the Space Craft was a stand out release from the year. You just had to be a 24 carat world-beater to pull them off.
Messi 10/10 - Just 100 pairs of the Messi 16 10/10 boots were released on the tenth day of the tenth month by adidas as Messi took his signature and exclusive series to the very top of the adidas Limited Collection most wanted list. Launched from a pop up store NYC. The most limited general release of the year. No doubt.
GLITCH 16 - In October, adidas ripped up the rulebook on how a boot launch should play out. Glitch arrived under a cloud of mystery as adidas began to explain their two-piece interchangeable construction. An F50 T-unit on steroids, if you like. Only available by getting hold of a code and downloading the app. Some next gen sh*t, right there.
Mundial Team Modern Craft - Honouring the world's best selling football boot with a street styled transformation, adidas created the Limited Collection Mundial Team Modern Craft. Timeless in design and based on the coolest football boot of all time – the Copa Mundial. Another branch of cultured Copa comeback in 2016.
Parley For The Oceans - Some of the most commendable work adidas achieved in 2016 was the "Parley for the Oceans" campaign. Eco innovation met sports performance which saw Real Madrid and Bayern Munich shirts made from recycled marine plastic waste. Chuck in a streamlined UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley and you're looking at some seriously impressive work.
3D Runner - Plans for one of the most anticipated shoe drops of the year were released in December as adidas prepared to release its first ever 3D-printed shoes. What could well be a huge marker of intent for the brand as they will no doubt look to see how they can incorporate the technology in football.
COPA 17 - A football original re-imagined in a streamlined design and modern colourway. The COPA 17 kicked off the adidas 'Red Limit' collection and brought back an icon from the most prestigious of footballing archives. Sitting under the Limited Collection line but without the heavy price tag. One that's set to stick around in 2017.
ACE 17+ Purecontrol - Adidas closed out the year in the same style as they began it – without laces. The next generation ACE 17+ Purecontrol launched with Boost technology and in the most nostalgic of Predator colourways, and that's why it was a bit of a big deal. 2017 ready.
Crowning Glory - Ending the year in suitable fashion, adidas turned on the 'Limited Collection' charm one last time to celebrate 35 Years of the Legendary Copa Mundial with the new 'Crowning Glory' pack. Designed in white with a touch of luxurious gold. A shoutout to the winners of 2016.
How did you rate adidas Football's 2016? Drop your comments below.
