As we edge nearer to a return for domestic action across Europe, players are enjoying showing off some absolute belters, including the latest new releases and special editions, sitting alongside some throwback fire. It’s Monday, it’s Boot Spotting. Let’s see who’s made the cut…
Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund) PUMA ONE 20.1
This week, PUMA launched what would have been its boot pack for Euro 2020, however, with that competition obviously being postponed, the 'Rise Pack' was swiftly repurposed for the return and conclusion of the domestic leagues across Europe. Axel Witsel wore the brightly coloured ONE 20.1 from the pack in Dortmund's 1-0 win over Herth this weekend.
James Maddison (Leicester City) PUMA Future 5.1
Pairing up with the ONE 20.1 in the brightly coloured 'Rise Pack' is the Future 5.1, as PUMA rolled out their duo in a combination of NRGY Peach and Fizzy Yellow. The Future features the adaptable NETFIT lacing system, allowing the wearer to customise how they lace up their boot. James Maddison simply opted to remove the laces altogether though.
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) Nike Mercurial Superfly VII South Korea Edition
As part of the South Korea collection, Nike recently launched a special edition Mercurial Superfly VII, wrapped in the same tiger stripe design from the away kit that has been used across the wider collection. Upon release at the end of April, the boots were only available in South Korea, but that hasn't stopped a few pros getting their hands on pairs, including Liverpool's Harvey Elliott, who trained in them this week.
Mateo Guendouzi (Arsenal) adidas Dragon Predator 20+
You don't get many special editions like this: a beast like nothing else you’ve ever seen before, adidas recently launched the Dragon Predator 20+, which boasted a look that mimicked the look of the mythical creature, right down to a scaled upper. Proper unique, and ever the Predator fan, Mateo Guendouzi was quick to jump into a pair for the return of football.
Callum Wilson (Bournemouth) Nike Phantom VNM
The 'Future DNA' pack saw the look of classic boots from Nike's history wrapped around the current roster, with the Phantom VNM adopting the 2002 Air Zoom Total 90 II look. It's a look that's been appreciated and donned by many pros, with Bournemouth's Callum Wilson becoming one of the latest.
Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur) Nike Mercurial Vapor Future DNA
Another from the 'Future DNA' pack, and this time it's the Mercurial Vapor XIII, wrapped up in the OG Superfly “Max Orange/Metallic Silver” colourway from 2009. Serge Aurier laced it up in training and has been wearing it in some warm-up matches. Will he continue with them when the season resumes?
Angel Gomes (Manchester United) Nike Tiempo Legend VII 10R
Training is definitely the place to show off your favourite throwbacks, and Manchester United's Angel Gomes pulled out some belters, lacing up in the Tiempo Legend VII 10R, Ronaldinho's special edition signature Tiempo. That white base with the gold detailing – doesn't get much better.
Alex Iwobi (Everton) Nike CTR360 Maestri II
Alex Iwobi deserves some kudos for combining the throwback "Loyal Blue/ Orange" colourway of the Nike CTR360 Maestri II from late 2011 with the colours of his club in training this week. The Maestri II featured a Kanga-lite upper with the trademark control pads from the first iteration continuing on the forefront for increased touch.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) adidas F50 Adizero II
We could pretty much set up camp at Arsenal's training ground for boot spotting, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is right at the forefront of the throwback show-off. This week he took to training in the Nike Hypervenom Phantom I, before switching the Swoosh for the Stripes, and specifically the adidas F50 Adizero II for a warm-up match.
Martin Pusic (Mattersburg) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX
Rolling the clock back to 2013, Martin Pusic wore the Mercurial Vapor IX in his side's 1-1 draw with Altach in the Austrian Bundesliga. Made with an ultra-thin Teijin leather grain upper and Speed Control texture, the Mercurial Vapor IX came in at a lightweight 214g.
Daniel Wein (TSV 1860 Munchen) adidas
In 2014, Adidas launched the "Battle Pack" for the World Cup, though Leo Messi slipped into a special F50 adizero of his own that featured a blue strip down the centre to separate him from the rest and to reflect his Argentina colours. Daniel Wein opted for the standout look in TSV 1860 Munchen's 1-2 loss to Wuerzburger Kickers, the blue element tying in nicely with his side's kit.
Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal) PUMA Blackout
Nicolas Pepe has been spotted trialling PUMA's latest prototype ahead of what must be an imminent launch. The mystery boot has already been spotted on the feet of several pros, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Aleksander Kolarov and Giorgio Chiellini.
James Milner (Liverpool) Nike Blackout
James Milner has become the latest Nike athlete to put Nike's latest project through its paces. Like the PUMA blackout boot, this one's been seen on the feet of numerous pros, giving rise to speculation that it must be due for a launch in the very near future.
