Creative Soccer Culture

Global Boot Spotting

Another week of international fixtures has given many left at home the opportunity to play in the latest new releases. That along with some throwback special editions and some upcoming releases getting a run out is just the ticket for this week’s Boot Spotting.

Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United Women) adidas Nemeziz .1

Last week adidas unveiled their next on-pitch moves with the Precision to Blur pack. Front and centre of the pack was the next generation of Nemeziz, which arrived in one of the most eye-catching designs ever seen, with a psychedelic shapeshifting upper optic accomplished through a 3D screen print.

Millie Turner (Manchester United Women) adidas Predator Mutator .1

The quite extraordinary design of the 'Precision to Blur' Nemeziz was backed up by some eye-catching paint jobs for the rest of the adidas roster. The Predator Mutator featured a "Signal Green/Core Black" colourway with a scorch effect from the forefoot lending itself to the whole speed-centric, blurred nature of the pack.

Juan Mata (Manchester United) adidas X Ghosted .1

Sticking with Manchester United but switching to the men's team, and Juan Mata showed off the X Ghosted .1 in training. This is only the second look for the X Ghosted since its 'Inflight' debut, with the "Signal Green" dominating the design.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (England) adidas COPA .1

Last up in the 'Precision to Blur' pack, the COPA .1 was debuted by Ainsley Maitland-Niles in England's comfortable 3-0 friendly win over Republic of Ireland. An odd choice given Maitland-Niles' penchant for throwback boots – particularly those adorned with a Swoosh – so could this be a sign that the boot bachelor is ready to settle down with a brand? Not likely...

Hirving Lozano (Mexico) Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII

Mexico played out an entertaining 3-2 friendly win over South Korea this week, and Hirving Lozano instantly caught the eye for his choice of footwear. The striker was seen in a vibrant new colourway for the Mercurial Vapor XIII, and while it could be mistaken for a customisation from Nike by You, the graphic reveals that this appears to be an upcoming Nike FC release. Watch this space.

James McClean (Republic of Ireland) Nike Mercurial Superfly VI WTM

You can always rely on James McClean for a good Nike throwback, and he didn't disappoint in Republic of Ireland's friendly against England, wearing the Nike 'What The Mercurial' boots. The 2018 edition of the 'What The Mercurial' line 2018 edition turned the lights off to draw you in closer, exploring the materials of Mercurial dating back to 1998.

Tim Weah (USA) New Balance Furon v6

Tim Weah showed off an upcoming colourway of the New Balance Furon v6 in USA's 0-0 friendly with Wales. New Balance have not been shy in sharing around upcoming releases recently, and this new look, with off-white upper and orange heel, is the latest in the line.

Lorenzo Insigne (Italy) Next-gen adidas COPA+

Lorenzo Insigne became the latest player to give the next-gen adidas COPA+ a spin. The Italy forward tested out the prototype while training with the national team ahead of their 2-0 Nations League win over Poland.

Riccardo Orsolini (Italy) Next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly

Another prototype doing the rounds is the next-gen Mercurial, and Italy winger Riccardo Orsolini wore it in training ahead of his side's 2-0 win over Poland in the Nations League.

Ronan Curtis (Republic of Ireland) Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL

Ahead of the friendly against England, Republic of Ireland attacker Ronan Curtis showed off a throwback to 2007 with the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV SL in that bright green colourway. Nice link to the Irish colours, but clearly didn't bring any luck...

Zack Elbouzedi (Republic of Ireland U21) PUMA evoSPEED 1.3

Another from the Republic of Ireland camp, this time from the U21s, and it's Zack Elbouzedi in the lightweight PUMA evoSPEED 1.3 from 2014. The Lincoln midfielder opted for the purple colourway with that huge PUMA graphic down the instep. Memorable look, but not a memorable result, with th Irish losing 2-1 to Iceland.

Author
Daniel Jones

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