It’s been a week of international football, which has offered up a whole load of new releases, throwback flavour and custom creation from the players hooking up with their national teams as well as the ones left to train at home. It’s Monday, it’s Boot Spotting. Let’s do this…
Serge Gnabry (Germany) adidas Nemeziz 19.1
All but confirming that his contract with Nike is up, Serge Gnabry took to the pitch for Germany's game against the Netherlands in a pair of blacked out Nemeziz 19.1 boots. We've seen adidas' unreleased new look Nemeziz several times recently, but could this mean that Serge is on his way to the Three Stripes? He certainly seemed comfortable in them as he scored a belter in Germany's 3-2 win.
Nahitan Nández (Uruguay) Nike Mercurial Superfly VI
Uruguay's Nahitan Nández wore a pair of Nike iD Mercurial Superfly VI boots for his country's China Cup game against Uzbekistan. The much-coveted Boca Juniors midfielder opted for a green and yellow snakeskin combo across the entire boot. Uruguay comfortably won the game 3-0 and will now face Thailand in the final.
Lee Casciaro (Gibraltar) Nike Mercurial GS360
Supplying this week's requisite Green Speed action is Gibraltar's senior statesman, Lee Casciaro. He may be 37, but the Gibraltar forward showed that he's still down with the kids with his exquisite taste in boots as the minnows fought hard against the Republic of Ireland, eventually falling to a 1-0 loss.
Robbie Keane (Republic of Ireland) Nike Tiempo Air Legend II
Free of any contractual obligations from his playing days, Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer and now coach, Robbie Keane, could wear what ever he wanted to training this week. And what did he opt for? 2008's Nike Tiempo Air Legend II. Nice.
Jens Stryger Larsen (Denmark) adidas Predator Precision 2002 Beckham
In a case of you show me yours, I'll show you mine, Denmark's Jens Stryger Larsen compared his adidas Predator Precision 2002 Beckham boots with goalkeeper and regular Predator wearer, Kasper Schmeichel, who was wearing the re-released Champagne Mania. Tough to pick a favourite between these two classics.
Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth) adidas Predator Precision Beckham
Bournemouth's Charlie Daniels was another man to lace up for training in the Predator Precision recreations this week as his club enjoyed some warm weather training in Dubai. We're never gonna get tired of seeing that iconic aesthetic on pitch.
Anthony Grant (Shrewsbury Town) adidas Predator Accelerator Zidane
Rounding off a hat-trick of Predator recreations, Anthony Grant was seen wearing the golden Zidane Accelerator in Shrewsbury's League One match against Portsmouth. Sadly the Shrews performance could not match the majesty of Grant's boots as they fell to a 2-0 loss.
Rômulo (Lazio) Lotto
Lazio's versatile midfielder Rômulo trained in an unreleased laceless Lotto boot this week. Interestingly, Lotto were the first-ever brand to release a laceless boot, beating adidas by several years with their Zhero Gravity silo. Now the Italian brand go laceless once again and they've clearly learnt from what's happening around them, adopting a knit upper. Watch this space for more info.
Zech Medley (Arsenal) Nike CTR360 Maestri II
Arsenal youngster Zech Medley wore a pair of Nike CTR360 Maestri II boots to training this week. Nice effort, kid, but it's painful to think that he was only 11 when this colourway came out in 2012.
Mariano Díaz (Real Madrid) Nike Mercurial Vapor II
Yep, for the original release of Mariano Diaz's Nike Mercurial Vapor II, which the Real Madrid man wore in training this week, Zech Medley would have only been five. Opting for the Navy look, Diaz dusted off the 2005 classic for a light session. Antiques, these.
Samuel Umtiti (France) Nike PhantomVSN
Having recently signed a deal with PUMA, it was a surprise to see Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti wearing a pair of Nike Phantom VSN in a France training session this week. Can't blame the man for opting for a bit of gold when he links up with the World Champions.
Djibril Cisse (Liverpool Legends) adidas ACE 16.1
Djibril Cisse's never been one to shy away from the limelight, as evidenced once again when Liverpool Legends took on a Milan side in a heavyweight charity match. Cisse took to the Anifeld pitch in a pair of adidas ACE 16.1, customised for the occasion by @af.custom. The Frenchman went on to score in them too, as Liverpool won 3-2.
