A bumper week of domestic and European action provided the perfect stage for brands to showcase their latest work under the brightest of spotlights. From signature designs, to custom colourways, to limited edition gold. Here's who made the Boot Spotting cut this week...
Leo Messi (Barcelona) adidas Nemeziz Messi 18.1
Leo Messi switched into his latest signature Nemeziz 18.1 design this week as adidas launched the "Spectral Mode" pack. A hat-trick against PSV in the Champions League and another goal against Girona at the Nou Camp on Sunday ain't a bad way to kick things off.
Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls) PUMA Future 2.1
New York Red Bulls players wore custom boots during the warm-up of Saturday's MLS home match against Toronto. Each bespoke pair was designed by the players and pediatric cancer patients from the New York/New Jersey area.
Adama Traore (Wolves) Nike Mercurial Superfly 360
Yep, it's that man again. Adama Traore is a Boot Spotting ever-present thanks to his custom collection of Nike Mercurial designs. The Wolves winger has shown off numerous Superfly V colourways in the past few seasons, and switched into another new design at the weekend by wearing a custom Superfly 360 as Wolves drew 1-1 at Old Trafford.
Valentino Lazaro (Hertha BSC)) adidas Glitch 18
Valentino Lazaro switched up his Glitch 18 look at the weekend by chaining into the latest "Prep Skins" pack. The colourway starts as an all white design but turns to blue when activated by heat to reveal some distinctive adidas text.
Gregory van der Wiel (Toronto) adidas X 15.1
Gregory van der Wiel produced a modern throwback this week as he slipped into the original launch colourway of the adidas X 15.1. The first-gen X was the boot that kicked off the adidas Football revolution in 2015 and has since progressed into the laceless X 18+.
Sebastian Rudy (Schalke) Nike Premier II
The quality of the Nike Premier series has been clear this season as more and more pro players are wearing the traditional silo. David Luiz has been wearing the Premier II for Chelsea, as has Schalke's Sebastian Rudy who wore the "Wolf Grey/Light Crimson" colourway against Bayern Munich at the weekend.
Edwin Cardona (Boca Juniors) Nike
Edwin Cardona created a custom pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 boots to wear in Boca Juniors' rivalry match with River Plate at the weekend. Cardona took on a colour combo that complemented the Boca home kit as his side were beaten 2-0 at La Bombonera.
Fernando Torres (Sagan Tosu) Mizuno Morelia Neo II
Fernando Torres wore the "Gold/Black" Mizuno Morelia Neo II at the weekend after signing an official contract during the week with the Japanese brand. Torres has previously been an ambassador for Nike and adidas but has switched to Mizuno now that he's plying his trade in their homeland.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7
Cristiano Ronaldo has had a mixed start to life in his Chapter 7 signature Mercurials thanks to a red card in the Champions League on Wednesday followed by a Serie A goal on Sunday. The new design is the 7th and final boot of the current CR7 Nike signature series. He ain't done yet though, expect Nike to have further plans for his exclusive line.
Marquinhos (PSG) Nike PhantomVSN
PSG made their debut in Jordan kits this week as they lost 3-2 to Liverpool in the Champions League. Selected Nike players were also wearing Jumpman branded boots as Marquinhos switched into the PhantomVSN design, with Neymar and Mbappe sporting the Mercurial editions.
Cameron Burgess (Scunthorpe) Nike CTR360 Maestri III
Cameron Burgess provided a blast of the good stuff at the weekend by wearing the Nike CTR360 Maestri III in Scunthorpe's 1-0 win over Shrewsbury. One of the most missed discontinued football boot series, the CTR line was the most popular Swoosh control boot, possibly of all time.
