A huge weekend for new boots saw adidas roll out the next-generation ACE and colour updates for the X and Messi silo. CR7 finally turned the page over to Chapter 3 and one of the Premier League's top strikers switched brands once again. It's been a busy one. Here's the pick of the bunch from the past seven days.
Juan Mata (Man United) adidas ACE 17+ Purecontrol
A number of key adidas ACE 17+ Purecontrol players were sporting modified versions of the new boot this weekend. Juan Mata, along with Paul Pogba and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil were all wearing the same modified edition, that featured a resemblance to the 17.1 Primeknit boot. The laceless design is still present but there's an added adidas logo that features on the Primeknit but not on the Purecontrol. Throw in a thinner hi-top collar construction and pull tag and we're looking at a tweaked version of the boot on the shelves.
Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal) adidas X 16+ Purechaos
The X series has to wait a little longer for a next-generation but adidas have brought the X 16+ Purechaos in-line with the ACE by giving it a Red Limit makeover. The red and black update was worn for the first time on pitch this weekend as adidas dished out their colour-up to all X players, including Gabriel Paulista, amongst many others. Many others who probably define the silo better than Gabriel Paulista to be honest.
Marco Verratti (PSG) Puma evoTOUCH
Marco Verratti marked his first game in the new "white/blue" PUMA evoTOUCH with a Champions League own goal but a place in the knockout stages as PSG drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the Emirates. In what is only the second official on-pitch colourway that PUMA have laced up their key evoTOUCH players in, it's a clean update that complements the PSG home strip nicely.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial CR7 Chapter 3
Cristiano Ronaldo switched into his signature Mercurial Chapter 3 boots in midweek as Real Madrid travelled to Ronaldo’s home town club to take on Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. Staying in his new exclusive design, Ronaldo bagged a brace in them as his side beat Sporting Gijon 2-1 at a drenched Bernabeu in their one-off adidas "Parley for the Oceans" jersey. The all-white strip was made from 28 recycled bottles taken from the Indian Ocean.
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) Puma evoSPEED 1.5
Romelu Lukaku has flirted between brands since he seemingly parted ways with Nike. The Everton striker has previously worn the adidas X silo before reverting back to the Mercurial or Hypervenom series, but his boot saga took another twist on Sunday afternoon after he made a surprise appearance in the PUMA evoSPEED 1.5 as Everton lost 1-0 to Southampton. Have PUMA won the battle for his signature? One to keep an eye on.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) adidas Messi 16.1
Lionel Messi was another man switching into his new signature footwear this week. Flying his own flag for the adidas Red Limit collection, the Argentine striker was sporting his red and white self-titled silo as Barcelona lost further ground on La Liga leaders Real Madrid by drawing 1-1 with Real Sociedad. Scored, though. Course he did.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man United) adidas X 16.1
Zlatan Ibrahimovic finally got on the end of a Paul Pogba assist to please the Man United PR team on Sunday. It wasn't just the Old Trafford faithful who were off their seats as Zlatan was sporting the latest and alternative "black/red" X 16.1 Leather colourway, suggesting he's finally signed a deal with adidas.
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) adidas ACE 17.1 Leather
All adidas ACE players were supplied with a choice of footwear to make their first steps in the Red Limit collection this weekend. While a number opted for the laceless ACE 17+ Purecontrol and others chose the ACE 17.1 Primeknit, a few, including Chelsea's Nemanja Matic, went for the more traditional silhouette of the ACE 17.1 Leather. Pred vibes all round. Nailed on to be crowd pleaser, this.
Sam Hart (Port Vale) Umbro Velocita 3
Umbro launched their third-generation Velocita this month. A collared creator with a stylish design overhaul, the Velocita 3 is currently being worn in the Premier League by West Ham's Michail Antonio. Further down the Football League, where players choose their own boots and the popularity of a boot is more clear, the Velocita has been adopted well. Port Vale's Sam Hart just one of a number of pros taking the plunge this weekend.
Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact) Pantofola d'Oro Lazzarini
Montreal Impact drew first blood in their MLS Eastern Conference final first leg with Toronto. 3-0 up in front of a 61,000 sell-out crowd for the all-Canadian clash, Montreal had to make do with a 3-2 win at full time. Didier Drogba wasn't amongst the goals but he was amongst the class, slipping into a blackout pair of Pantofola d'Oro Lazzarini boots. The former Chelsea man, who wore Mercurials throughout his illustrious Premier League career has plumped for comfort in his veteran days, and he couldn't have picked a better boot for that.
Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids) adidas ACE 17.1
Seattle Sounders await the winners of Montreal and Toronto in the MLS Cup Final as they overcame Colorado Rapids. Major League Soccer has become a playground for ageing Premier League strikers and there was one on show in this game as Kevin Doyle couldn't help his side break down a strong Seattle defence. Doyle, a prolific front man in his Wolves and Reading days, was laced up in a custom colourway of the brand new adidas ACE 17.1 boot.
