Creative Soccer Culture

Global Boot Spotting

We look back at the opening week of EURO 2016 to pick out the best of the boots on show as the group stage comes to a close. Who's stood out so far? Best player? Surprise package? You decide that. Here's what they're wearing...

Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) Under Armour Clutchfit

Under Armour have stacked all their Euro 2016 eggs in one big Swiss basket. Granit Xhaka was signed by the brand just in time for the tournament and he switched into a previously unseen red/black/white colourway of the Clutchfit Force against Romania.

Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) Under Armour

Wasting no time to show Under Armour's versatility, the new Arsenal midfielder switched into a different Clutchfit design as his side sealed qualification from Group A after a goalless draw with France on Sunday night. Featuring a new strap on the toe-box and new colourway, it's a case of what will he wear next for the knockout stages.

Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford (England) Nike Mercurial Superfly V

England's pool of Nike Mercurial players sprung a surprise in their opening two group games by wearing an all red edition of the Mercurial series. Ahead of their Group B decider on Monday night they've mixed things up with another iD effort by switching into an all blue pair. Presumably to match up with the away kit socks.

Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling (England) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI

Raheem Sterling joined Marcus Rashford in the new look design as he slipped into the Mercurial Vapor XI edition. Sterling was substituted at half time in the 2-1 win over Wales but he'll be keen to make amends if selected against Slovakia in Saint-Etienne on Monday night.

Pepe
Pepe

Pepe (Portugal) Umbro Speciali Eternal

Portugal have stuttered to a couple of draws in their opening two Euro 2016 games. Pepe and the Portuguese defence did their job on Saturday as they held Austria, but had to settle for a point after Ronaldo's wayward finishing. The Real Madrid defender is wearing the same signature Umbro Speciali Eternal design that he wore in the 2016 Champions League Final

Kingsley Coman
Kingsley Coman

Kingsley Coman (France) Nike MERCURIAL SUPERFLY HERITAGE ID

French speed machine Kingsley Coman showed his potential in spells against Switzerland on Sunday night wearing the Mercurial Superfly Heritage iD boot inspired by the 1998 R9 design. Coman was just a one year-old when Ronaldo wore the boot for the first time at the World Cup in France and Coman will be looking to find his own place in history as France enter the knockout stages.

Sergio Romero
Sergio Romero

Sergio Romero (Argentina) adidas ACE 16.1 Primeknit

Sergio Romero's boot deal with adidas looks to have expired. After wearing the ACE at the backend of last season with Manchester United, the Argentinean goalkeeper has blacked out the 'Mercury Pack' colourway at the Copa America to alert the Three Stripes or other potential interested parties.

Walter Ayov
Walter Ayov

Walter Ayov (Ecuador) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI

Another player in the Copa America who has taken personalisation into their own hands is Ecuador's Walter Ayov. The number ten has hidden any Nike branding on the Mercurial Vapor XI to create a reasonably decent looking colourway. Another one on the lookout for a new boot deal or just playing around with the design?

Jason Hernandez
Jason Hernandez

Jason Hernandez (NYCFC) Nike Hypervenom Phantom II

New York City FC defender received his marching order this week but did so in style by wearing the Nike Hypervneom Phantom II from the second-generation Tech Craft Pack. Black and white, no nonsense, a bit like his tackling it would appear.

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