The end of season run-in enters full flow in Europe as the race at both ends of respective tables heats up. In a busy week of derbies across the globe we take a look back at the best signature, custom and latest footwear to catch our eye over the past seven days.
Patrick Roberts (Celtic) adidas Messi 16.1
Scottish Premier League Champions Celtic pumped cross-city rivals Rangers 5-1 at Ibrox on Saturday to add more gloss to their championship title. Amongst the boots on show in Glasgow was the adidas Messi 16.1, worn by on-loan Manchester City youngster and #TeamMessi member Patrick Roberts who was selected by the main man himself to wear the signature boot line.
Tommy Rowe (Doncaster) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI
One of the smartest custom creations of the weekend came via the feet of Doncaster Rovers' Tommy Rowe who has whipped up a white and red edition of the Mercurial Vapor XI on NikeiD. A subtle pinstripe design blends nicely into the home kit of Rowe's Rovers, whose chances of winning League Two slipped on Saturday after a 3-1 defeat at home to Exeter City.
Danielle De Rossi (Roma) adidas ACE 17.1
Danielle De Rossi was on target as Roma lost 3-1 at home to rivals Lazio on Sunday. The Italian skipper was laced up in the alternative ACE 17.1 colourway from the adidas Turbo Charge collection that features a black and green leather upper for a more understated look in comparison to the laceless all-green wrap. Big love for that old-school wrap around lace.
Josh Parker (Gillingham) Nike Magista Opus
Gillingham avoided the drop to League Two on Sunday thanks to a 0-0 draw away at Northampton Town. Taking a different angle to customisation compared to Doncaster's Tommy Rowe, Josh Parker has opted for a stand-out approach on his footwear. Parker has created a red and white design on his Nike Magista Opus boots to clash with the all blue Gillingham home kit. Although he probably created them at a previous club.
Natasha Harding (Liverpool) Concave Volt +
Last week Concave collaborated with world-renown graffiti artist Mr Cenz to create a limited edition boot collection made up of the brand's leading trio of silos. Just days after the collection dropped Liverpool Ladies player Natasha Harding switched into one of just one hundred pairs of the Volt + editions as she helped herself to a brace against Reading.
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Puma evoPOWER Vigor 1
Olivier Giroud had a game to forget wearing his signature PUMA evoPOWER boots for the first time on Sunday. Launched as part of PUMA's ongoing "Derby Fever" series, Giroud was served up with a pair of limited edition signature boots to wear in the North London Derby but Arsenal went down 2-0 to rivals Tottenham in their last ever visit to White Hart Lane.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) Puma evoSPEED 17.SL-S
Sergio Aguero was another player to switch into his signature "Derby Fever" evoSPEED this week as Manchester City recorded back to back draws against Manchester United and Middlesbrough. Aguero's limited edition evoSPEED is designed in the colours of Argentina and Manchester City and hit shelves last week ahead of the Manchester Derby, a game which ended goalless. Although Aguero did score from the penalty spot against Boro on Sunday.
Alex Morgan (Lyon) Nike Hypervenom 3
Alex Morgan helped European Champions Lyon reach the Champions League Final as her side beat Manchester City 3-2 on aggregate to set up an all French final against Paris Saint-Germain in Cardiff. The USWNT striker was laced up in the women's specific Nike Hypervenom 3 colourway from the recent Motion Blur collection. 1-0 defeat on the night, but it's job done for our Issue 8 cover star.
Leonel Vangioni (AC Milan) adidas X 16+ Purechaos
Leonel Vangioni looks to have ended his contract with adidas after the AC Milan man blacked out his X 16+ Purechaos boots against Crotone at the weekend. It's that time of the year where contracts come to close with both clubs and sponsors and Vangioni isn't prepared to give adidas any freebies while he alerts other brands to his availability.
Edgar Davids (Barcelona Legends) Nike Hypervenom II NJR x Jordan
Not many players could qualify for getting a game for both Barnet and Barcelona Legends. Edgar Davids can. The goggled midfielder was in action against a team of Real Madrid Legends at the weekend in the Lebanese capital of Beirut wearing the Nike Hypervenom collaboration between Neymar and Jordan. Why not, eh?
Francesco Totti (Roma) Nike Tiempo Totti X Roma
Francesco Totti made a cameo from the bench in what could've been his final Rome derby at the weekend. The golden boy a generation was wearing his signature Nike Tiempo Totti X Roma boots, of which just 2500 pairs were released with the Italian legend bagging number 10 for himself. 40 years-old. A boot worthy of the man's status in the game.
