Global Football Boots Spotting - 14/01/13

Martin Caceres (Juventus) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX

Juventus defender MartÍn CÁceres became one of the first European based players to wear the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX in competitive action. Juventus were back in Serie A action at the weekend taking on Parma. The Uruguyan wasted no time in getting his new boots onto the field as Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw.

Patrick Gerhardt (Melbourne Heart) adidas RS7 II Pro

It's something we see every now and then. The adidas adizero RS7 boots might be built for rugby, but as Melbourne Heart defender Partick Gerhardt demonstrated at the weekend, they look right at home on a football pitch! It's not the first time we've seen Gerhardt in the RS7 II Pro - the defender likes to switch between these and the first generation adizero miCoach.

Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory) Nike GS II

Staying in the A League, Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson was spotted wearing his Nike GS II football boots as his side took on the Central Coast Mariners. Thompson has been wearing the superlight Nike boots for a number of weeks now. As you can see from the close up image, he obviously wasn't too keen on the safari print applied to the ACC logo - nothing a bit of black marker treatment can't take care of.

Leandro Castan (Roma) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX

Whenever we approach the official launch of a new Mercurial boot, it's never a surprise to see some lesser Nike names wear the boots a little prematurely. Europe's biggest Vapor names will have to wait a little longer before Nike give them the go-ahead, but Roma defender Leandro CastÁn had other ideas this past weekend. The Brazilian wore his Vapor IX boots as his side took on Catania.

John Terry (Chelsea) Nike Tiempo Legend IV Elite

John Terry put in his first competitive performance as a Nike player this past weekend as Chelsea took on Stoke City. The former England captain has called time on his career-long relationship with Umbro, switching to the Nike Tiempo Legend IV. Terry was spotted in the Elite edition of the Clash colourway, fitted with a carbon-fibre and flywire.

Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) Nike Tiempo Legend IV Elite

Top-class footballers have certain requirements when it comes to their football boots, they know what works best for them to perform. The upper aside, football is full of customized sole-plates requested by pro players, and one such player is Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo has requested the elite carbon fibre outsole on his new Tiempo Legends, an intriguing choice, even more so when you consider he was playing in wet conditions.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea) Nike GS II

Eden Hazard was amongst a clutch of talented young players selected by Nike to wear their GS II football boots, and Hazard has duly repaid Nike's high-profile marketing by wearing the boots - unlike the rest of the GS II squad! But this could be one of the last times we see Hazard in the limited release, as the launch of the Mercurial Vapor IX is on the horizon.

Emiliano Armenteros (Osasuna) Joma Fit 100 SL

In the modern era, you can look around the pitch at a high-profile game and count the number of Nike, adidas and PUMA football boots on show. It's refreshing therefore to see a player bucking the trend. Osasuna's Armenteros was spotted wearing the Joma Fit 100 SL football boots against Real Madrid, a boot which we have to admit bears quite an uncanny resemblance to the last generation adizero.

Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory) Nike Tiempo Legend IV

If ever there was a boot and kit combination destined to be matched up, then Mark Milligan has taken the initiative. Milligan has got himself a pair of the new Nike Tiempo's to wear with the Victory's away kit. Not completely outrageous, but the look stands-out on pitch with the outsole, tongue and socks a great combination.

Paul Pogba (Juventus) Nike CTR360 Maestri III

Has Paul Pogba been poached by Nike? The French midfielder has worn adidas football boots throughout his developing football career, but this weekend surprised us all by wearing the Nike CTR360 Maestri boots again after he'd seemingly returned to adidas. An all-action midfielder the CTR's certainly suit his game, but maybe it's a statement Pogba isn't keen on the direction the Predator is heading? Either way adidas will be loathed to lose an up-and-coming talent.