A busy week of league and cup action across Europe as players continued to switch into their first on-pitch colourways of 2019. From the throwbacks, to the customs, to the latest football boots on show. Here's what and who caught or eyes last week...
James Maddison (Leicester) PUMA ONE 19.1
PUMA's recent recruitment drive shows no signs of slowing down as Leicester City's James Maddison switched into the brand last week. Maddison had previously worn Nike this season but looks to have now signed with PUMA. Another strong addition for the brand.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) adidas Nemeziz 18.1
Leo Messi switched into the new Nemeziz 18.1 colourway from the adidas "Exhibit Pack" last week. This is the first time that Messi has joined all other Nemeziz athletes in a standard colourway, rather than wearing his own signature design, although 'Messi' branding still replaces the 'Nemeziz' wording on the instep of the heel. 3 goals in 2 games. Typical start.
Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United) Nike Mercurial Superfly VI
Nike's Mercurial and Tiempo players finally got to switch into the new "Game Over" collection at the weekend as the "Thunder Grey" colourways joined the bold designs of the Phantom series. Alexis Sanchez opted for the Superfly edition as his side beat Leicester 1-0 at the King Power.
Zech Medley (Arsenal) Nike CTR360 Maestri II
Arsenal youngster Zech Medley took things way back to 2010 last week as he managed to get hold of a pair of second-generation Nike CTR360 Maestri boots to wear in training. Medley was just 10 years old when the "Black/Orange/White" colourway dropped. One of the most successful and most missed former Nike series.
Thiago Silva (PSG) Nike Tiempo Legend 7
Thiago Silva joined Sanchez in the "Game Over" pack as he switched into the latest on-pitch edition of the Nike Tiempo Legend 7. A modest colour combination typical of the silo, Nike can now display their first full collection of 2019 ahead of the return of the Champions League.
Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea) Nike Hypervenom II
Chelsea's Ethan Ampadu dipped into his archives to pull out the second-generation of the Nike Hypervenom to train in last week. The Hypervenom II was arguably the least successful of the series which has now been replaced by the PhantomVNM but did undergo an upper transformation during its time as Nike's leading attacking option.
Clayton Donaldson (Bolton) Nike Mercurial Vapor II
Clayton Donaldson went into full throwback mode once again last week by lacing up in the second Nike Mercurial Vapor from 2003. A revolutionary lightweight design that has been dramatically developed over the past 17 years of leading Nike's speed game. Can't be many of these left in circulation.
Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao) New Balance Tekela 1.0
The Tekela series from New Balance isn't as easy to spot on pitch as the brand's other boot series – the Furon. Not many players are sporting the Tekela boot, but Athletic Bilbao's Mikel San Jose switched into the latest "Black/Emerald Green" design last week against Real Sociedad.
Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City) adidas X 18.1
Benjamin Mendy takes the win for the best boot personalisation on show. Playing on his nickname for his City side – Shark Team – the French full back features a shark on the left heel, two stars on the right heel as a reference to France's two World Cup wins, with his squad number and 'Big Fish' wording completing the custom look.
Genki Haraguchi (Japan) Nike Mercurial Vapor XII
Japan's Genki Haraguchi modified his Nike Mercurial Vapor boots for the Asia Cup Final by placing the upper of the current Vapor XII onto the soleplate of the previous generation Vapor XI boot. It creates a design that isn't as aesthetically pleasing as the standard boot, but footballers are picky when it comes to preference.
