Cup final season entered full swing as the weekend brought the highs and lows of play-off heart-break, European silverware and domestic glory. In a fortnight of finals it presented the chance for brands to bring down the curtain on the 2017/18 season with their campaign closing boots.
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus) Nike Mercurial Superfly V
Juventus players switched into the Nike 'Time To Shine' pack ahead of the 2017 Champions League Final next weekend. The final Nike boot collection of the 2017/18 season dropped in a theme fitting for those summer trophy nights. The colourway represents the sun setting on the season while the metallic silver Swooshes represent the silverware being lifted. Claudio Marchisio in the Mercurial and Andrea Barzagli in the Tiempo will be hoping it's them doing the lifting.
Mario Mandzukic (Juventus) Nike Hypervenom 3
Mario Mandzukic joined Marchisio and Barzagli in the Nike 'Time to Shine' collection as Juventus prepared for the showdown in Cardiff next Saturday night. The Juve striker has opted for the lo-cut Nike Hypervenom 3 in its "Deep Royal/Chrome/Total Crimson" colourway and will be joined on pitch by all contracted Nike players wearing the same colour scheme for a dominant presence on pitch.
Leo Messi (Barcelona) adidas Nemeziz 17.1
Barcelona put the misery of missing out on the La Liga title behind them on Saturday by lifting the Copa del Rey. Leo Messi marked the occasion by switching into his signature version of the adidas Nemeziz 17.1 boot for the first time. Modified slightly in comparison to the standard version, Messi's boots feature his name on the upper strap rather than the 'Nemeziz' branding. Thirty minutes; that's all it took for him to give them a scoring start as Barca won 3-1.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) adidas Predator Instinct SG XVII
Steven Gerrard came out of retirement for Liverpool's post-season tour of Australia last week. The Anfield legend was back in the number eight shirt once more wearing a special edition boot that was created to mark his final competitive game for the club. Gerrard was in his exclusive red and white adidas Predator Instinct SG XVII as Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners against Sydney FC.
Thanh Binh Dinh (Vietnam) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI
More custom colourway treatment came via the feet of Thanh Binh Dinh this week as the Vietnamese forward wore a black and grey edition of the Nike Mercurial Vapor XI at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. Simple and smart. Certainly one of the safer custom NikeiD designs we've seen knocking around.
Alan Pulido (Guadalajara) Puma
Guadalajara's Alan Pudilo gave a first run out to a next-generation PUMA boot this week in a complete black-out design. Interestingly, the Mexican player usually wears the Nike Mercurial collection so it would appear that he's close to signing for PUMA and the brand have equipped him with their latest innovations to get a feel for what they can offer. As for the silo, PUMA have yet to release any tech details.
Sami Khedira (Juventus) Nike Magista Obra II
Sami Khedira also made his way into the Nike 'Time to Shine' collection this week ahead of facing his old club in the Welsh capital on Saturday night. The Magista Obra II takes on a more simplistic design than the rest of the collection as it wraps itself in "Deep Royal Blue" with "Chrome" Swooshes and "Volt" finishing touches.
Alexander Meier (Frankfurt) Puma Cellerator Shudoh
Alexander Meier provided a touch of throwback magic this week by lacing up in the PUMA Cellerator Shudoh silo from way back in 2003. A boot that was originally worn by Robert Pires in Arsenals' famous 'Invincibles' season, the name Shudoh is Japanese for ''the way to become the master of soccer'' if you were interested. Now you know...
Enzo Guerrero (Deportes Iquique) adidas F50 adizero
Enzo Guerrero was also in throwback mood this week by taking his boot choice back to 2011 by wearing the "Electricity/Anodized Purple" adidas F50 adizero. The silhouette arrived as the second generation of the adizero line and was worn in the 2011 Champions League Final at Wembley by Leo Messi as Barcelona beat Man United 3-1.
Diego Perotti (Roma) adidas Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility
With Messi wearing the laced 17.1 edition of the Nemeziz, adidas have dished out the top-end laceless Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility to a number of their players including Roma's Diego Perotti. The Nemeziz is unlike anything ever seen before on a football pitch in terms of concept and aesthetic, and the trippy visuals stood strong as they hit competitive pitches for the first time this weekend.
