Nike are bringing back the T90 this year, with the Air Zoom T90 III returning in shoe-form alongside the homage-fuelled aesthetics of the brand’s final Premier League ball, and here’s why we’re so ready for it all.
T90 was a full-on vibe that epitomised an era in football culture. First think Edgar Davids, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Paul Scholes, Roberto Carlos and Francesco Totti circa 2000-2004. Think the World Cup, think The Mission, think Secret Tournament, think some of the best advertising campaigns you’ve ever seen. Then move it on to the Laser line and peak Fernando Torres, with his white socks, untucked long sleeve shirt and hairband, alongside prime Wayne Rooney, smashing the ball into the back of the net with such ferocious power and prolific precision, the pair ripping up the Premier League for fun. And last but by no means least, think of that circled 90 logo that was first introduced in 2004 with the Air Zoom Total 90 III edition. Nostalgia really doesn’t get much better than all this. And last but by no means least, think of that circled 90 logo that was first introduced in 2004 with the Air Zoom Total 90 III edition. Nostalgia really doesn’t get much better than all this.
See, football is fuelled by memories, from the last time your team tasted glory and lifted silverware to a special player that defined a generation – it’s what keeps us coming back for more time and time again. It’s a rich tapestry of iconic moments, many of which are intertwined with legendary products, from kits to boots to balls. And it’s in these products that brands are often quick to turn, safe in the knowledge that to pluck on the nostalgic heartstrings of a generation is an easy way to guarantee success in the market – whether that’s through a homage, a subtle nod, or even a full-blown re-release, all of which serve to remind us of a better time.
The crossover between football and fashion has also accelerated this demand in recent years, with the nostalgia of football’s history being tapped into in a big way, whether that’s through catwalk explorations or homage-fuelled lifestyle collections. We’ve done the Nineties in recent years, now it’s the turn of the Noughties, and nowhere is that better encapsulated from a football perspective than with T90.
T90 initially debuted in boot form in 2000, with the Air Zoom Total 90 displacing the Air Zoom International, Air Zoom Italia and Air Zoom Roma to line up alongside the timeless Tiempo and the majestic Mercurial in an exciting new Nike roster. As a leader in innovation, Nike crafted the Total 90 for the modern player, delivering precision, power, and control in every aspect of the game. More than just a name, “Total 90” embodied the idea of sustaining top performance for the full 90 minutes on the pitch.
The series quickly shifted gears with the introduction of the Air Zoom T90 II ahead of the 2002 World Cup (arguably one of the most influential tournaments for product of all time). It featured a soft KNG-100 G synthetic construction along with that signature asymmetrical lacing system, highlighted with the band of colour that flashed from tongue to toe. This was a football boot of the future and no mistake, and it put T90 firmly on the map as one of the go-to products for pros at the top level of the game.
Then in 2004, we got the Air Zoom T90 III, which introduced the world to that now-instantly recognisable signature circled 90 on the instep. This was a time when Nike pushed the boundaries, embracing bold designs and unconventional styles that sparked debate but ultimately became cherished in the years to come. Gone was the tongue from the previous two iterations, leaving a sleeker silhouette, albeit with that wholly unconventional branding – but it’s in that branding that Nike really hit the sweet spot (much as the circled target suggests). Its presence was bolstered by the introduction of the Total 90 Aerow official match ball for the Premier league – a model that would go on to last four generations and that has now been homaged with the last Premier league ball of Nike’s current stint as ball provider. So, from 2004-2008, that ball was at the epicentre of everything that was seen in what was arguably the greatest football league in the world (3,851 goals if anyone’s interested).
Oh, and there were also the kits. Dominating both the international and club scenes, it was a further stamp on the domination of the T90 sub brand. Again, the rerelease of the 2004 Portugal kit to see out the Swoosh’s partnership with the Federation was met with mass approval and was an indication of the high regard that these kits are held in. For all the innovations of the Mercurial and heritage of the Tiempo, neither can boast the influence T90 had on the game as a whole, those circled numbers on kits throughout the world once again instantly emblematic of an era.
The impact of T90 in the game was clear for all to see, and it will have been seared into the very consciousness of a generation. Football fans born around 1990 to 2000 will have instantly gravitated towards the allure of the boot, the branding, and everything that came with it. Flash forward 20 years, and those five- to 15-year-olds are now 25-35 year olds, clamouring for the glory of their younger years. And that right there is nostalgia in a nutshell, and it’s why the return of the T90 is an absolute tap in for Nike.
Teased back in June 2024, the Swoosh is set to release several small-sided sneaker versions of the iconic Total 90 III, which will undoubtedly be adopted in lifestyle circles (can’t imagine seeing many of these actually kicking about in the courts – just too good), and the hype train is building steam ahead of their return.
Initially, we saw the unveiling of three colourways (“Black/Metallic Silver”, “Dynamic Yellow/Green Spark”, “Bordeaux/Metallic Silver”) and that was followed by a further three reveals in December '24. That understandably sparked a lot of interest around a highly-anticipated release, and that was further boosted when Edgar Davids was spotted wearing a “Navy Blue/Metallic Silver” pair of T90 III’s at Travis Scott’s ‘Secreto Maximus’ tournament. The hype was ramped up another notch with the confirmation of a further set of colourways, revealed at the end of 2024, and now Vini Jr. has joined the party, revealing his full lineup of the new sneakers.
The Nike Total 90 is more than just a football boot—it represents innovation, style, and a deep passion for the game. From its groundbreaking debut in 2000 to its final release in 2013, it redefined what a football boot could be. Now, with its highly anticipated return in 2025, a new generation of players will have the chance to experience its legacy firsthand.
The only question with all this is where’s the boot? It’s the tease of all teases to only bring out a sneaker version of the T90 III, and we’re just hoping that Nike follow this up by bringing the boot out again. The brand certainly seem to be more inclined to bring out rereleases from their archive these days, with the T90 Laser I getting a remake back in 2019, and more recently the OG Mercurial Vapor getting a rerelease. So, we’ll take the T90 III sneakers as an appetiser, thanks Nike. Oh, and we’re ready for the main course if you don’t mind…
The Nike T90 III will be available from 3 March at 3:00PM at nike.com
