Creative Soccer Culture

Global Boot Spotting

It's Monday, it's Boot Spotting. Whether you're winding down for a winter break or getting stuck into festive football we've got you covered. Picking out the best of the latest, limited edition, signature and custom boots on show from the past seven days, here's who and what we've had our eyes on. 

Trae Coyle (Arsenal) Nike PhantomVNM Tech Craft

Arsenal youngster Trae Coyle took to the training ground in a pair of the Tech Craft Nike PhantomVNM editions last week. The all leather version of the boot sees the synthetic shooting elements replaced by a more traditional feel. In all black, obviously.

Ilkay Gundogan (Man City) adidas Predator Mania 19.1

It's come as no surprise whatsoever that numerous pros have got hold of the flurry of Predator Mania releases. We've seen the likes of Rakitic and Morata in the OG re-release, and Premier League stars Dele Alli and Matteo Guendouzi in the modernised versions. Ilkay Gundogan joined the club in the week by wearing the white 19.1 boots in the Champions League.

Sebastien Haller (West Ham) PUMA Future 5.1

PUMA look to have added another Premier League player to their growing ranks this week as West Ham striker Sebastien Haller has switched into the new-generation Future 5.1. The big Frenchman scored the only goal of the game as West Ham left Southampton with three precious points.

Goncalves Helio (Hong Kong) Nike Tiempo Legend 8

Last month we saw a stand-alone drop of the "Black/White/Volt" Tiempo Legend 8. Nike chose to release the colourway away from their usual pack collections, but opted to keep their leading Tiempo players in previous colourways. Goncalves Helio has managed to snag a pair to wear on-pitch as his Hong Kong side took on South Korea.

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) Nike Mercurial Superfly Bondy

Kylian Mbappe became the latest player to join the exclusive Nike signature club last week as the Swoosh unveiled his debut Mercurial boot with a design inspired by his home district of Bondy in Paris. The Frenchman switched into them for games against Galatasaray and Saint Etienne. 3 goals for Mbappe and 9 goals for PSG. Good week.

Andres Tello (Benevento) Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII

The Mercurial Vapor VII is almost eight years old. How has that happened? Five generations of Vapor have been and gone since it was discontinued, but Benevento's Andres Tello gave them some game time in Serie B this weekend by lacing up the "Black/Volt" editions.

Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) Nike Hypervenom

Lys Mousset only played 60 minutes of Sheffield United's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday but in that time he managed to wear three different pairs of boots. He started the game in the first generation Nike Hypervenom, before switching into the Mercurial Vapor IX before half time, and then re-emerged for the second half in the Nike GS.

Miguel Nadal (Barcelona Legends) Nike T90 Laser III

Legends games are always reliable events for some throwback boot spotting, but Miguel Nadal took things a step further this week by wearing the Nike T90 Laser III on one foot, and the adidas Predator 18.1 on the other as his Barca Legends side took Sao Paulo in Brazil. These old boys have headed a lot of balls in their time.

Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII

Saul Niguez stepped out in a customised Mercurial Vapor XIII as Atletico Madrid clinched qualification to the Champions League knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow. The Spanish midfielder whipped up a white and red design to match the colours of his side's home kit. Smart.

Tom Carroll (Swansea) Nike Magista Opus II

Every time you see the Magista you realise you miss it, don't you? We actually miss the Opus more than the hi-collared Obra. The PhantomVSN that replaced it is a winner in it's own right, but the Magista's influence on the game remains strong. Tom Carroll knows the deal as he wore his in Swansea's 3-1 win over Boro at the weekend.

Author
joe.andrews

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