Creative Soccer Culture

Global Boot Spotting

It's Christmas Eve, but it's also Monday which means we've still got to bash out a Boot Spotting feature before we leave the office doors spinning. Here's your usual mixed bag of custom, unreleased and limited edition boots on show last week. Soz for any typos, we're off to the pub. Have a good one.

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Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus) Nike PhantomVSN x EA Sports

Juventus' Federico Bernadeschi was selected as one of Nike's players to sport the latest collaboration with EA Sports. Kevin De Bruyne and Fran Kirby have both also switched into the limited edition PhantomVSN in recent weeks – the third link up between the two parties.

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Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) Nike Hypervenom

Although he's only played a bit part role at Liverpool so far this season, Daniel Sturridge could be gearing up to feature more prominently with the busy festive period ahead. In preparation, Studge continues to stick with the first-generation Hypervenom, turning out for training this week in 2014s "Hyper Crimson" offering.

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Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan) Blacked out Nike

Okay, so blacked out Nike boots are hardly big news at the moment, with every other player seemingly turning out in them at training. Clearly Nike are gearing up to drop something big on us in the new year, and the latest player to dabble with the new attacking silo is Inter's Lautaro Martinez.

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Tom Davies (Everton) adidas COPA 19+

Not many players have taken on the laceless version of the new-generation COPA series, but Everton's Tom Davies is one of them. The Toffees midfielder slipped on the laceless silhouette as his side were comprehensively battered 6-2 by Spurs at Goodison on Sunday.

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Khalid Eisa (AI Ain FC) Nike PhantomVSN

AI Ain FC goalkeeper Khalid Eisa sorted himself out with a couple of Nike PhantomVSN colourways for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. His first black and turquoise colourway was worn against River Plate as his side ran out winners in a penalty shootout.

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Khalid Eisa (AI Ain FC) Nike PhantomVSN

Eisa switched into another custom Nike PhantomVSN colourway for the FIFA Club World Cup Final against Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi. The Al Ain stopper opted for a blue upper with black detailing and volt Swooshes for another smart bespoke design.

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Etienne Capoue (Watford) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX

Etienne Capoue took us back a few years at the weekend by lacing up in the Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII "Clash Collection" colourway that was worn by all Mercurial players at EURO 2012. Over six years old already. Time, it doesn't half fly.

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Emilio Alvarez (Manchester United) adidas Predator Mania Champagne

All of the Manchester United coaches lined up for a photo-call to welcome Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back to the club last week. Every coach was wearing blacked out boots apart from Emilio Alvarez who went all out in a pair of limited edition 2018 re-released adidas Predator Mania Champagnes. He has to be the set-piece man.

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Mirko Valdifiori (Spal) adidas Predator 18.1

Mirko Valdifiori took customisation into his own hands last week but cutting out a small section on the heels of his adidas Predator 18.1 "Spectral Mode" boots. It's a method that we've seen before by players who are suffering from blisters on the heel or tight Achilles.

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Daniel Baier (Augsburg) Nike Hypervenom

The first generation Nike Hypervenom is still going strong on the professional scene as Daniel Baier also sported a pair at the weekend as Augsburg took on Wolfsburg. The NikeSkin upper of the boot was amongst the softest the Swoosh have every made and players are clearly still valuing that.

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