A busy week of football across the planet as Europe brings the chill by entering the second half of the season while the Africa Cup of Nations heats things up in Gabon. In amongst the goals, stoppage time penalties and face paint we've picked out our selection of the boots that caught our eye over the past seven days. Scroll away...
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) Nike Hypervenom Phantom II
Nike have hooked up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a custom edition of the Hypervenom Phantom II for the Africa Cup of Nations. The Borussia Dortmund man is one of the Swoosh's key players in the tournament and his personalised numbers ensure the captain stands out in more ways than one.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7 Vitorias
Real Madrid remained at La Liga summit with a 2-1 win over Malaga thanks to a rare brace from Sergio Ramos. Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to stay in his limited edition Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7 Vitorias, a boot that was presented to him to celebrate his 2016 Ballon d'Or success, as well as UCL and EURO titles. All 777 pairs of the boot that were released were snapped up in minutes.
Tom Thorpe (Bolton) adidas Predator Pulse
Can we take a moment to salute Sir Thomas Joseph Thorpe of Bolton? Taking things right back to 2004 to wear the adidas Predator Pulse in Bolton's FA Cup third round replay with Crystal Palace this week. His Bolton side may have lost the game on the night, but Thorpe was the real winner in our eyes. The Pulse was originally launched in 2003 ahead of EURO 2004, when Thorpe was just 11 years old.
Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus) Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3
Fresh off his appearance at the launch event in Munich, Gonzalo Higuain slipped straight into the lo-cut Nike Hypervenom Phinish 3 to score in Juventus' 2-0 win over Lazio. Wearing the first ever lo-cut Flyknit Nike boot, Higuain's bold "Poison Green/Hyper Orange" colourway definitely achieved the shock factor Nike were after in their first on-pitch debut.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3 DF
Robert Lewandowski saw Higuain's strike and raised him by both a goal and a collar. The Bayern Munich striker scored a brace, including a stoppage time winner, as his side came from behind to beat SC Freiburg. Lewandowski opted for the hi-top Hypervenom Phantom 3 as he marked a solid debut for Nike's new boot, with Edinson Cavani also finding the net in his new footwear.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) New Balance MiUK One
Aaron Ramsey switched out of the Visaro silo for Arsenal's clash with Burnley to wear the limited edition MiUK ONE. Made in the United Kingdom, it's a traditional take on a football boot that represents the legacy of the brand. Just 2,000 pairs were whipped up in the brand's factory in Cumbria, North West England, and feature the stamp of approval on the insoles and insteps. Old school class.
Matthieu Dossevi (Togo) Nike Mercurial Superfly V
The Africa Cup of Nations always provides a few lively custom boot designs and it hasn't disappointed this time around. Togo's Matthieu Dossevi has been wearing a pair of personalised Nike Mercurial Superfly V boots in white, black and gold to add another sense of custom style to one of football's most colourful and expressive celebrations.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City) Puma evoPOWER Vigor 1
Yaya Toure was one of a number of leading PUMA players to switch into the new evoPOWER Vigor 1 "Gecko Green" launch colourway this weekend. A number of key technology changes ensure that it's the biggest overhaul yet for the evoPOWER series – a silhouette that keeps power and accuracy at the heart of the design. Big Yaya was in action as Manchester City were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by Spurs.
Prejuce Nakoulma (Burkina Faso) Nike Hypervenom Phantom II
Prejuce Nakoulma has also added a bit of custom colour to his 2017 AFCoN game. The Burkina Faso man has created a vibrant pair of Nike Hypervenom Phantom II boots for the tournament in shocking yellow, complemented by red detailing and a black Dynamic Fit Collar. Group Three wrapped up, look out for them in the Quarter Finals.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) Under Armour Clutchfit 3.0 3D
Granit Xhaka chalked up another red card on Sunday as he followed up his misplaced pass with a lunge at Burnley's Steven Defour. Nine red cards in three years for the Swiss midfielder is record that Vinnie Jones would be proud of, and so are those blackout boots. Xhaka was sporting the Under Armour Clutchfit 3.0 3D as Arsenal marched on to grab a dramatic 2-1 with with ten men.
Jonathan Zongo (Burkina Faso) Nike Mercurial Superfly EA Sports
Another AFCoN gem appeared on the feet of Burkina Faso's Jonathan Zongo who laced up in the Nike EA Sports Mercurial Superfly. The limited edition boot to celebrate the pending launch of FIFA 17 was released in limited numbers in September 2016 and the pixel pounders were widely heralded as the most random and desirable limited edition launch of the year. Serious game.
