On the back of a landmark week in the football boot calendar, we take a look at who was first to switch into the re-launched adidas Predator Mania Champagne. Signature editions, limited editions and blackouts were the order of the week as the European season edges closer to its climax. Here's who we pulled out...
Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich) adidas Predator Mania Champagne
Where else to start? We saw Xabi Alonso training in the adidas Predator Mania Champagne earlier in the week but the Bayern Munich midfielder became the first professional to wear the limited edition relaunch as his side beat Darmstadt 98 by a single goal at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon. Alonso is one of few players still playing the game who wore the original Mania model back in 2002.
Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich) adidas Predator Mania Champagne
Phillip Lahm joined Alonso in the famous Champagne design as both players look to end their careers in a boot that they wore in the very early stages of their careers. Lahm wore the adidas Predator Mania to make his Bayern Munich debut in 2002 and it seems fitting that the re-release would be the boots that he gets to hang up after a prestigious and trophy-ridden period at the German giants.
Romaine Sawyers (Brentford) Nike CTR360 Maestri III
Brentford lost their final game of the 2016/17 Championship season at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon – a game which would still end in Blackburn's relegation to League One. The pick of the boot spotting action came via Brentford's Romaine Sawyers who was sporting the Nike CTR360 Maestri III from back in 2012. A modern-day favourite of a silo that's still knocking around the professional scene in decent numbers.
Jordy Buijs (Sydney FC) Pele Sports Trinity 3E
Jordy Buijs provided arguably the most random boot spot of the week by lacing up in the discontinued Pele Sports branded Trinity 3E football boot. Originally launched in 2011 as Pele's signature collection, the Trinity boot with unique soleplate construction has since disappeared from the game almost entirely.
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) adidas ACE 16.1
James Ward-Prowse has remained in the previous generation adidas ACE 16.1 boot since the launch of the 17.1 and now it appears his contract with the Three Stripes may be coming to an end. The Southampton midfielder switched into a completely blacked-out pair of the same boot for his side's goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
Francesco Totti (Roma) Nike Tiempo Totti X Roma
The undisputed king of Roma cool took his place on the bench as Roma beat AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro this weekend. Francesco Totti remained in his golden signature Tiempo and was warming up with the bespoke fold-over tongue flapping loose and laces undone in casual style. Not many current players deserve a golden exclusive boot, but Francesco Totti is worthy of that legendary status. Sold out in minutes, the Nike Tiempo Totti X Roma stands to be one of the hottest limited editions of 2017.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) New Balance Visaro 2.0
Aaron Ramsey put in a Man of the Match performance debuting his limited edition New Balance boot in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday. Just 100 pairs of the signature Visaro 2.0 boot dropped last week with the design being inspired by the tattoos of the Welsh midfielder. A fine job done all round.
Tony Craig (Millwall) adidas World Cup
Tony Craig was keeping things old school this week as he helped Millwall reach the League One Play-Off Final at the expense of Scunthorpe United. Craig was laced up in a football boot icon in the form of the adidas World Cup. The Three Stripes have had success this season with the re-launch of an updated Copa series but the World Cup will forever be recognised as one of the most famous football boots for multiple generations.
Frankie Brown (Bristol City) adidas Predator Instinct
More Predator vibes were on show this week as Bristol City's Frankie Brown was laced up in the black out adidas Predator Instinct. The final Predator from the original series and a colourway of pure stealth feel. August 2014 was when these dropped, a year before adidas shook up their entire boot collection with the ACE and X concepts, which in turn retired the Predator, F50, Nitrocharge and 11Pro silos.
Ruben Botta (San Lorenzo) adidas Copa 17.1
Ruben Botta was also sporting a blacked out design this week as he helped San Lorenzo to a 2-1 victory over Rosario Central. Botta has completely blacked out his adidas Copa 17.1 edition and tucked in the over-sized tongue for a more streamline look. Blackout season in full flow as players look for new boot contracts with many current sponsorships expiring in line with the end of the season.
