Creative Soccer Culture

Global Boot Spotting

As more clubs flip the league opening sign to closed as they wrap up respective titles in the business end of the season, we're taking a look at which players and boots are making noise. Custom colourways, limited editions, and throwback gold. Apologies for the Bank Holiday hangover-inflicted delay. It's Tuesday, it's boot spotting...

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Ekkachai Samre (True Bangkok United) Nike Mercurial Vapor BHM

The latest Nike Mercurial Vapor BHM has perhaps been the most worn Black History Month Nike football boot design to date. Numerous players have got hold of the design including True Bangkok United's Ekkachai Samre in the Thai League.

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Teeratep Winothai (True Bangkok United) Nike Mercurial Superfly 360 Kim Jones

Another player wearing limited edition Nike boots in the same game was Teeratep Winothai. Sporting the Nike x Kim Jones edition of the Mercurial Superfly 360, Winothai managed to snag the safari printed design which was worn by Cristiano Ronaldo upon launch.

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Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas Glitch 18

The adidas Glitch concept has been knocking around for over a year now, and as more and more professional players pick it up, the more likely it is to move further and firmer into adidas' plans. Tottenham's Erik Lamela became the latest high profile pro to switch into the laceless, two-piece construction this weekend against West Brom.

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Steven Skrzybski (Union Berlin) adidas Glitch 18

Another player sporting a recent Glitch 18 design at the weekend was Steven Skrzybski. The Union Berlin man switched into the lower-key black edition from the "Sol Pack" that was launched towards the end of last month.

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Gerso (Sporting Kansas City) PUMA Future 18.1 NetFit

PUMA have released a couple of bright Future 18.1 designs in the last week, but Sporting Kansas City forward Gerso has remained in a blackout edition of the boot. The NetFit tech allows players to lace up the boot however they like, but Gerso, just like Marco Reus, has removed the laceless completely to create a slip on silo.

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Sam Nicholson (Colorado Rapids) adidas F50 adizero

Sam Nicholson took things back to August 2014 by wearing a signature Leo Messi F50 adizero colourway this week. The "Yellow/Neon Orange" design was launched ahead of the 2014/15 season for Messi, and was printed with every goal and every trophy he’d won in his career. He'd need a size 22 now.

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Diego Rolan (Malaga) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI

Diego Rolan was in action wearing his custom Nike Mercurial Vapor XI design last week. The Malaga man has whipped up a NikeiD black upper with a volt Swoosh and laces which feature the trademark Nike safari print.

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Luis Quinones (Toluca) Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7

For every Messi signature design on pitch you can bet there's a CR7 one to rival it. Luis Quinones was sporting the most recent Chapter 6 design this weekend – a tribute to Ronaldo from Nike to celebrate CR7's leadership of Portugal ahead of the World Cup.

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Allan Nyom (West Brom) adidas F50.6 Tunit

Allan Nyom provided the boot spot of the week by wearing the adidas F50.6 Tunit which was launched in 2005. The innovative concept enabled players to customise their boot configuration with a choice of uppers, insoles and studs. A boot that no doubt served as inspiration for the new Glitch series.

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Justin Kluivert (Ajax) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI

Has Justin Kluivert's Nike deal expired? The Ajax youngster switched into a blackout pair of previous-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor XI boots this weekend suggesting that he's in talks to either sign for a new brand or renegotiate a better deal with the Swoosh to reflect his elevated profile after a successful season.

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