On the day that Nicklas Bendtner celebrates his 30th birthday, we're looking back at one of the most iconic moments in his career. A pioneer of pink, it was November 2008 when the Danish striker gave the dream story to one of Nike's most confident campaigns by becoming the man to take on their ballsy Berry Mercurial Vapor.
Not only did Bendtner wear the boot to score a late goal against Dynamo Kiev to send Arsenal into the Champions League knockout stages, his decision to volunteer to front the design in the Premier League, when others couldn't face it broke down boundaries, paving the way for pink to become not just an acceptable colourway in men's football, but a mainstay.
Bendtner entered the field as a substitute wearing the eye-catching Mercurial Vapor SL, and struck three minutes from time with the first goal Arsenal had scored in almost five hours. Arguably Bendtner's finest moment in an Arsenal shirt, and a moment which installed him into Nike folklore while making headlines and sparking debate all over the world.
THE SUN
They Pink it's all over! Sub Nicklas Bendtner used his bright pink left boot to hit the winner and make life a little bit rosier for Arsenal...
DAILY MAIL
In the pink! Fancy boots Bendtner is the Arsenal hero – Nicklas Bendtner's late goal sent Arsenal into the Champions League knockout stages to lift the cloud of self-doubt that was threatening to suffocate Arsene Wenger's side...
THE MIRROR
Arsenal overcome Dynamo Kiev in Champions League thanks to Nicklas Bendtner's pink power – Nicklas Bendtner was Arsenal's last gasp hero - thanks to his dainty pink boots...
THE TIMES
Cool Nicklas Bendtner papers over the cracks to give Arsene Wenger welcome lift – Some may think that Arsenal lack character, but the man who scored the goal that puts them into the Champions League knockout stages, three minutes from time, did it wearing pink football boots and one has to say that takes courage of sorts, at least...
Bendtner was joined by Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery in debuting the Mercurial Vapor SL Berry Pink edition, with the Frenchman starring in his own Pink Panther themed commercial for the design. A breakthrough moment that caused huge stir and a certain amount of disbelief that Nike had released such a colourway. We'll leave that one below.
A final word from the Bendtner himself; "People made fun five years ago, when I was wearing these. Now everyone is wearing them." That's just what the lord does. Now enjoy every single goal he scored for Arsenal in the video below.
Have a good one big man.
