The lack of live football has meant that we’ve had to think outside of the box this week, so say hello to the first-ever retro-infused Boot Spotting, where we’ve hopped into the old time machine to bring you some of the best boots of all time, on the feet of some of the greatest players of all time. Simply iconic. Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Course you are…
Ronaldo (Brazil) Nike Mercurial R9
Quite simply one of the most iconic boots of all-time, the Mercurial R9 was the boot that really launched Nike into the football stratosphere and that started the Mercurial Dynasty. On the feet of Brazil's Ronaldo at the 1998 World Cup, it was the perfect symbiosis of speed and devastation, and with that unmistakeable blue, silver and yellow wavy aesthetic across the upper that combined so perfectly with Brazil's kits, it's instantly recognisable.
Rui Costa (Portugal) adidas Predator Mania
By the time the 2002 World Cup rolled around, the adidas Predator had been through several iterations, refined to what many believe is the near perfection of the Mania, presented in its champagne colourway. AC Milan and Portugal's Rui Costa was one of the main proponents of it during its time, combining his effortless class with that of the boot.
David Beckham (England) adidas Predator Powerswerve DB
In 2008 David Beckham earned his 100th England cap in a friendly against France, and to honour the occasion he was gifted a special golden pair of Predator Powerswerve by adidas. Unfortunately for the LA Galaxy man, the match didn't quite pan out as he would've liked, with Franck Ribery scoring the only goal in what was Fabio Capello's first defeat as England manager. Still, golden boots in 2008...
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) Nike Mercurial Vapor III
Speaking of Franck Ribery, the Frenchman wore the impressive Mercurial Vapor III back in 2007 in his earlier days at Bayern Munich, matching the "Sport Red" colourway with the German club's kit. The boot featured Teijin microfibres, which conformed to the foot and were light yet durable, making it the first football boot to drop below the 200g mark, tipping the scales at 196g per shoe.
Roberto Carlos (Brazil) Nike Air Zoom T90 III
Ahead of Euro 2004 Nike launched the Nike Air Zoom T90 III, complete with one of the most striking designs ever seen on a football boot, as shown by Roberto Carlos in Brazil's 0-0 friendly against Republic of Ireland. The outstep featured a small Swoosh, while the instep came with the iconic circled T90 branding. Nostalgia, lots of it.
Lukas Podolski (Germany) adidas F50
The adidas F50 was revolutionary for being one of the first to cover up the laces in an effort to provide a clean striking zone – something that suited a young Lukas Podolski, renowned for his powerful strikes, down to the ground back in 2004. Of course covering the laces was a phase that didn't hang around, but it doesn't stop these F50s from being ones to appreciate for their revolutionary approach.
Mark Viduka (Australia) PUMA V1.06
One of PUMA's most iconic boots dropped in 2006, and was seen on the feet of Mark Viduka during Australia's World Cup campaign. The V1.06 laid the foundations for PUMA's ever-evolving speed line, that went on to evolve into the evoSPEED line.
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) Lotto Zhero Gravity
Asamoah Gyan and Lotto may not instantly spring to mind when talking of the most iconic players and boots of all time, but perhaps they should. For at a time when all other brands were covering up the laces of their boots or shifting them drastically to the side, Lotto took the next step, removing them entirely, a full ten years ahead of adidas doing it with the ACE. And Gyan scored in them within two minutes in Ghana's 2006 World Cup group match against the Czech Republic. Not a bad legacy for a boot well ahead of its time.
Ronaldinho (AC Milan) Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho 10R Dois
Could hardly have a retro Boot Spotting without this man making it on to the list, but it was more a question of which year, and therefore boot, we picked out. Well we opted for the eye-catching Tiempo Ronaldinho Dois (named as such as it's Portuguese for two and this was his second signature edition – from 2009). The colourway was obviously a homage to Ronaldinho's home country of Brazil and the colours of the Selecao, while the striking stitching pattern in the forefoot area was designed to prevent the soft k-leather from expanding too much.
Andrea Pirlo (Italy) Nike Tiempo Legend IV
Entering the era of pack releases and for EURO 2012 Nike launched the 'Clash Collection', which coated the four Swoosh silos in contrasting colourways. And the Tiempo took on a simple black and white combo that was so simple, so effortless, so classy, and so perfect for Andrea Pirlo as he guided Italy to the final.
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) Nike CTR360 Maestri II
Remember Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal? What a player. Remember the Nike CTR360 Maestri II? What a boot. The two combined on the pitch in 2011 as well as the boot's colourway did with the Gunners' kit. Designed for players looking to master control on the pitch, the CTR boasted the specifically positioned signature cushioning in key areas that provided its unique look along with better touch and control.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Nike Mercurial Vapor II R9
Starting with one Ronaldo and ending with another – Poetic, eh? What's also poetic is that for a man that has more signature edition boots to his name than we have goals to ours this season, Cristiano Ronaldo actually caught our eye in someone else's signature boots. And fittingly it was the other Ronaldo's Mercurial Vapor II R9 in their golden guise that we spotted the young CR7 back when he stormed the pitches of EURO 2004. A past sign of the domination to come.
