Two Clasicos in one week, the return of MLS, international fixtures from the women's game and, of course, another round of domestic fixtures from across the globe have all provided the requisite supply of throwback classics, brand new releases and custom creations to make up this week's Boot Spotting. Here's what's caught our eye...
Casemiro (Real Madrid) Nike PhantomVSN
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was quick yo switch into the newly released "Fully Charged" Nike PhantomVSN in training this week. The new pack marks the first time that the Swoosh has released its Phantom twins as their own collection.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) adidas adipure I
From the brand new to an old classic, all conveniently located in one Real Madrid training session. Karim Benzema is known as something of a connoisseur of fine throwback boots – you can't normally get him out of his F50s. But this week in training he turned out in the adidas adipure Euro 2008 colourway. After losing two clasicos in the space of a few days, Real players are probably doing all they can to perk themselves up a bit.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) PUMA ONE 19.1
PUMA announced its massive deal with the City group recently, which means it'll be providing Man City's kits for the next ten years. As part of the celebrations, PUMA decked out Silva, Kompany and Aguero in special custom versions of their boots. Here, the latter is wearing his special ONE boots, which feature a City blue formstripe and the number 93:20, paying homage to the goal the Argentine scored to seal City's first Premier League title.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) PUMA ONE 19.1
Sticking with PUMA, and one of the most highly rated and sought-after defenders in the game right now, Kalidou Koulibaly could well be on his way to the Big Cat after he was seen wearing a blacked out pair of ONE boots in Napoli's game against Juventus, ramping up the speculation that his move to the brand could be announced imminently.
Isco (Real Madrid) adidas Nemeziz 18+
Isco has been flirting with adidas for the best part of a year now after his Nike deal expired, but while there's nothing official, it's starting to appear that the Spaniard may have signed for the Three Stripes. In the second Clasico in a week he wore the Nemeziz 18+ "Archetic Pack" as Madrid lost 1-0.
Nico Schulz (Hoffenheim) adidas Nemeziz 19+
Already seen on the feet of Aaron Ramsey and Antonio Candreva, here we get another look at the next-gen Nemeziz on the feet of Hoffenheim midfielder and Nike athlete, Nico Schulz. The German was back in his Mercurial Superfly's for the game against Eintracht, which Hoffenheim lost 3-2. The fact Schulz is wearing an unreleased adidas boot in training could well mean he's soon to leave the Swoosh.
Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) Nike Mercurial Superfly VI
MLS returned this week and last season's top scorer and MVP was quick to show off his gift from Nike: a pair of customised Mercurial Superfly VI "Touch of Gold". Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, this season got off to a slightly rocky start, with the defending champs falling to a 2-0 defeat to DC United. Ironically, they were the only MLS team not to score on the opening weekend.
Victor Rodriguez (Seattle Sounders) Nike Magista Obra
The Sounders got their 2019 MLS campaign underway with a convincing 4-1 win over new boys FC Cincinnati. During the game, Spaniard Victor Rodriguez was spotted wearing what appeared to be a customised pair of Nike Magista Obra II, with the makeshift colour job matching nicely with the Sounders' kit.
Sophie Schmidt (Canada ) Nike Mercurial Vapor XII
Canadian midfielder Sophie Schmidt wore the Nike Mercurial Vapor from the "Black Lux" pack in her side's recent Algarve Cup 2019 match with Iceland. The "Black Lux" pack has been unsupported by the pros on pitch, so it's nice to see it getting some international recognition.
Diana Matheson (Canada) adidas COPA 19.1
In the same game against Iceland, Canada's midfielder, Diana Matheson wore the adidas Women's COPA 19.1 from the "Exhibit Pack". Joined in the pack by the Predator 19, they're exclusive women's colourways that came in a combination of black, pink and grey for a sleek look.
Emily Gielnik (Australia) adidas COPA 19+
Rounding off a trio of spots in the women's game and staying with the COPA, as Emily Gielnik scored for the Matildas in their 4-1 win over South Korea in the 2019 Cup of Nations match. The Aussie forward was wearing the COPA 19+ from the "Archetic Pack".
Wilfried Bony (Al-Arabi) adidas F50 adizero
Taking things back to 2011, Wilfried Bony turned up to training for his Qatar based team, Al-Arabi in a pair of adidas F50 adizero in an "Electric/Purple" colourway. The second update of the F50 adizero line was also launched in a slightly lighter "Prime" edition and worn by the likes of Leo Messi and Arjen Robben.
