With most domestic leagues having finally wrapped up their 19/20 season, attention turns to European competition for Boot Spotting, and it certainly didn’t disappoint, with a host of new and upcoming releases on show. Let’s see what caught our eye…
Mykola Matvienko (Shakhtar Donetsk) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
The Nike 'Daybreak Pack' was released today, but ahead of launch, the striking Mercurial Vapor XIII was debuted on-pitch by Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykola Matvienko in the Europa League tie against VfL Wolfsburg. A fiery affair, the game ended 3-0 to Shakhtar, with one red card a piece, but despite the action, the new look Mercs certainly caught the eye.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) Nike Phantom GT Elite DF
Kevin De Bruyne has made the switch from his Phantom VSN into the all-new Phantom GT – the boot that has replaced both the VNM and VSN in the Phantom world, and he showed off the new colourway from the Nike 'Daybreak Pack' in City's huge win over Real Madrid in the Champions League this week.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) Nike Phantom GT Elite
Numerous pros have made the switch into the new Phantom GT silo this week, and we got a good look at the regular, low cut version on the feet of Inter's Argentine hit man, Lautaro Martinez. The design of this new boot sees a Generative Texture giving the aesthetics an added depth.
Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich) Nike Phantom GT Elite
The Phantom GT debuted in two contrasting colourways this week: the more regularly seen white-based version from the 'Daybreak Pack', and the black and pink version, which Bayern's Corentin Tolisso kindly gave us a look at as he scored the German side's third in a 4-1 rout of Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 second leg. Aggregate 7-1. Ouch.
Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona) PUMA Ultra
PUMA have been teasing their return to speed with the upcoming Ultra, and while we've seen this prototype colourway in a sneak tease already, it's the first time it's been seen in action, as Griezmann wore them in Barcelona's victory over Napoli in the Last 16 of the Champions League. Don't expect this to be the launch colourway of PUMA's new boot though... reckon they've got something else up their sleeve for that.
Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) adidas X Ghosted
Having trailed the prototype way back in March, Gabriel Jesus finally got to wear the next generation of X this week, wearing – and finding the net in – the X Ghosted in City's 2-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid. That vacuum fit makes them look super-sleek, but agonisingly they're still not available to buy. Yet...
Odrizola (Bayern Munich) adidas Predator Mutator 20+
With this stunning new white, black and gold colourway for the Predator Mutator 20+ being seen more and more, a release must be imminent. This week, Bayern's Odrizola showed it off in The Bundesliga champion's win over Chelsea.
Eric Garcia (Manchester City) adidas COPA 20+
Another on the 'upcoming' schedule is the COPA 20+, wrapped in an almost all-encompassing blue paint job. Strong look showed off by Man City's Eric Garcia ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Expecting this one to drop any day now...
Anthony Martial (Manchester United) PUMA Ultra prototype
PUMA look like they could well be welcoming two new names into their family in the near future, and first up it's Anthony Martial. The United striker has been a Nike man until recently, but gone were his Mercurials as he scored in United's 2-1 over LASK in the Europa League, replaced instead by the upcoming PUMA boot, suggesting that the Frenchman may be on the verge of signing a deal with the German brand.
Kyle Walker (Manchester City) PUMA Ultra prototype
And the second name who could be set to sign with PUMA is Manchester City's Kyle Walker. Walker, another Nike man until recently, has been seen training in the X Ghosted this week, before playing in the PUMA Ultra prototype in City's win over Real Madrid. City obviously have strong ties with PUMA already, so could be that is a factor in Walker's decision.
Dan-Axel Zagadou (Borussia Dortmund) adidas Predator Archive Mutator
Dan-Axel Zagadou has been making his mark at Borussia Dortmund this season, and he continues to catch the eye, this time by wearing the adidas Predator Archive Mutator in training. Definite marmite one this; you were either feeling the mashup moves, or you couldn't wrap your head around what adidas had created.
Chase Gasper (Minnesota United) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII
One of our favourite boots of last summer for its clean-as-you-like aesthetics, the Mercurial Vapor XIII from the 'Under the Radar" pack got a run out on the feet of Minnesota's Chase Gasper. Sadly, the boots alone were not enough, as Orlando City knocked United out of the MLS is Back semi final. Shame, who doesn't love a black boot, eh?
