Cup competitions ahoy, with the third round of the FA Cup and the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations helping out with this week’s Boot Spotting. Signature editions, new and upcoming releases and some throwback fire – you know the drill…
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 KM Flames
AFCON got underway this weekend, and hosts Cameroon managed to come from behind to beat Burkina Faso thanks to two successful spot kicks from skipper Vincent Aboubakar. And he did so in the Kylian Mbappé signature Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 'Flames'.
Sadio Mane (Senegal) New Balance Furon 6+
Ahead of Senegal's AFCON campaign, New Balance bestowed upon Sadio Mané a new signature edition Furon 6+, dubbed 'The Lion Roars', and the Liverpool man duly wore them in Les Lions de la Téranga's opening game against Zimbabwe, scoring a very late winner from the spot.
Dudu (Palmeiras) Nike Mercurial Vapor 14
Over to Brazil for a first look at an upcoming colourway for the Nike Mercurial Vapor 14, on display on the feet of attacking midfielder Dudu. More than. a new colourway though, this boot looks to have had something of an aesthetic overhaul, with a repositioned Swoosh being one of the most obvious changes. Expect this one in the near future...
Jorginho (Chelsea) Next Gen PUMA Future Z
He's only recently officially been confirmed as a PUMA player, but Jorginho is already testing out the next-generation Future Z prototype ahead of its release. As has been seen before on the likes of James Maddison and Neymar, the new boot looks to have had some work done in the upper area.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3
Hands down one of the best kit/boot combos we've ever seen came courtesy of man-of-the-match Michael Olise in Crystal Palace's 2-1 win over Millwall in the FA Cup. The midfielder scored one and setup the other, and he did so pairing his side's split coloured third shirt with the Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3 "Motion Blur" boot released in 2017. Not only that though, he also opted to wear them laceless!
Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday) adidas Predator Pulse
Sheffield Wednesday's Liam Palmer with a touch of class in his side's 1-0 loss to Shrewsbury Town, lacing up in the adidas Predator Pulse from the recently released 'Legends Pack'.
Victor Guzman (Pachuca) adidas F50 X Ghosted
Across to Mexico, and Pachuca's Victor Guzman wore the special edition adidas F50 X Ghosted in their match against Atletico San Luis, a game they won 2-0.
Siriki Dembele (Peterborough) PUMA Future Z 1.2
Peterborough's Siriki Dembele channeled his inner Neymar for his side's FA Cup Third Round game against Bristol Rovers, opting for the Brazilian's signature colourway of the PUMA Future Z 1.2.
Stephen McLaughlin (Mansfield Town) adidas F50 Ghosted
Another special edition for the FA Cup stage, with Mansfield Town's Stephen McLaughlin wearing the adidas F50 Ghosted from the 'UCL Pack'.
Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) PUMA Ultra 1.3 Leather
Subtle switch up for Marco Reus, who changed from his usual Future option into the Ultra for his side's 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Does this signal a permanent shift of silos?
Xavi Simons (PSG) adidas X Speedflow 11/11
Xavi Simons continues to catch the eye in PSG's setup, and this week it was for his choice of footwear, with the attacker slipping into the special edition adidas X Speedflow 11/11 in training.
Nathan Redmond (Southampton) Nike Mercurial Superfly IV
Nathan Redmond got the scoring underway in Southampton's FA Cup Third Round clash with Swansea – a game the Saints eventually won 3-2 AET – and he did so in the Nike Mercurial Superfly IV.
