This week saw plenty of special editions making their debuts, including one at Wembley, while there’s also the usual new and upcoming releases and some proper Swoosh throwback flavour coming from across the globe. Let’s see what caught our eye…
Bruno Valdez (Club America) Nike Phantom GT II DF
Nike updated the 'Blueprint Pack' this week, releasing the Phantom GT II in a "Laser Orange/Black/Total Orange" colourway to lineup alongside the Mercurial Vapor 14 and Superfly 8. Over in Mexico, Club America's Bruno Valdez made the switch into the new look for his side's 0-0 with Pumas UNAM.
Neymar (PSG) PUMA Future Z 1.3 x Batman
PUMA teamed up with DC Comics for a special edition Future Z 1.3 x Batman release, which Neymar showed off at the premier of the new 'The Batman' film this week, before he wore them on pitch in PSG's 3-1 win over St. Etienne.
Memphis Depay (Barcelona) PUMA Ultra 1.4
Memphis Depay has been without a boot sponsor since he left Under Armour back in March of last year. The Dutch man has been trialling all sorts of boots in the intervening period, from adidas to Nike, but it looks like he may have settled on PUMA, after he wore the 'Flare Pack' Ultra 1.4 in Barca's 4-0 win, scoring the last in the rout. Nothing official about the move yet, but watch this space...
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool) New Balance Furon v6+
Harvey Elliott got his first ever signature edition boot this week, with New Balance giving him the 'Diamonds Cut Sharper' Furon v6+, and what better way to debut it than in a final at Wembley? Fate had it that way at least, with Elliott getting added to the match day squad at the last minute after an injury to Thiago, and he came on late and slotted his penalty home too. Not bad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) Under Armour Clone Magnetico Pro
Sticking with the Reds and Trent Alexander-Arnold also used the League Cup final as the stage to debut a new colourway for his Under Armour Clone Magnetico Pro, and it is one that ties nicely with the Crimson flashes of the Liverpool home kit.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8
Having only recently debuted the latest Dream Speed instalment, it was a surprise to see Cristiano Ronaldo in a new look Mercurial Superfly 8 in Manchester United's 0-0 with Watford this week. The graphics on the boot suggest that it may be in support of the OHSU Doernbecher Freestyle XVII collection, but nothing officially announced as of yet...
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) Next gen Nike Mercurial
Marcus Rashford is the next player after Kylian Mbappé to test out what looks to be the prototype of the next gen Nike Mercurial Superfly. Still not a lot that can be told about what to expect here, other than that the changes to the Vapor 14 and Superfly 8 look fairly significant.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United) adidas Predator Freak .1 low
Completing a United hat trick (cue jokes about it being the only one they'll get this season), and it looks as though all may not be well with Paul Pogba and Adidas, after the Frenchman opted to play in the match against Watford in a white pair of Predator Freak boots, rather than the current gen Predator Edge. Could be just that he's not a fan of the Edge, or could be a sign of bigger issues.
Omar Mendoza (Queretaro ) Nike Air Zoom T90 II
Back in Mexico, and Queretaro's Omar Mendoza laced up in an absolute gem from the past in 2002's Nike Air Zoom T90 II for his side's 1-1 with Toluca. Proper retro fire.
Joe Willock (Newcastle United) Nike Mercurial Vapor XII
Joe Willock continued his fine form of late, notching another against Brentford in a relegation six pointer, and he did so in the Mercurial Vapor XII from 2019's Nike Victory Pack. He's been wearing these and black out boots recently, something he's free to do as he appears out of contract with Nike.
Etienne Capoue (Villareal) Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII
Etienne Capoue is a massive fan of a retro Mercurial, and in this week's 5-1 mauling of Espanyol the Villareal man opted for the Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII, released ahead of the 2012 European Championships as part of the Nike Clash Pack, and he picked up an assist for the second of Yéremy Pino's four goals.
Maxi Urruti (Austin FC) Nike Mercurial Superfly 8
MLS journey man Maxi Urruti fully embraced the Verde chant of his new side Austin FC, customising his Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 using the Nike By You service by coating them in green for his debut. Didn't manage to score in the 5-0 victory over Cincinnati, but still a debut to remember.
