Global Football Boots Spotting - 11/03/13

      Lionel Messi (Barcelona) adidas f50 adizero Messi      

      Following the mid-week launch event of his signature adizero boots, adidas selected Barcelona's La Liga clash with Deportivo La Coruna to officially launch Messi's new footwear on pitch. Despite starting on the bench, Messi recorded his 17th straight league goal after coming off the bench to net his 40th league goal of the season for Barca in their 2-0 win. Not a bad start for the boots!      

      Kei Kamara (Norwich) adidas f50 adizero      

      MLS export Kei Kamara made his first Premier League start for Norwich this past weekend, wearing the not-so-popular Green/Blue adidas f50 adizero football boots. We don't see too many of these around Europe - in fact, we think Kamara is the only Premier League player wearing the colourway.      

      Mario Balotelli (AC Milan) Nike CTR360 Maestri III      

      Controversy-magnet Mario Balotelli is enjoying life in Serie A. The former Manchester City striker grabbed the headlines again wearing his Nike CTR360 boots, personalised with 'Super M'. Balotelli scored Milan's second in their 2-0 win against lowly Genoa, helping to extend his sides unbeaten league run to 10 games.      

      Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) Nike GS II      

      Manchester United loanee Wilfried Zaha is enjoying his time in the Nike GS II. The flying winger was once again spotted in the super-light Nike speed boots as his side took on Leeds United. The boots were fitted with a special mixed sole-plate. The GS II was one of our favourite boots of 2012, attracting the likes of Hazard, Gotze and Zaha, who's resisted any temptation to move into the Vapor IX.      

      Tomi Juric (Adelaide United) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX      

      Until recently, Tom Juric was still getting life out of his Nike Vapor VIII Clash boots. This month though, he's upgraded to the Vapor IX despite presumably not being a fan of the colour. The Adelaide Untied striker has attempted to give his Fireberry boots a darker look, but with little success! His side were up against A-League rivals Melbourne Heart.      

      Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) adidas f50 adizero      

      Adidas might have another tricky customer on their hands with Gareth Bale. Following some promotional work for the new Blue/White/Pink adizero colourway, we presumed Bale's days wearing the Yellow/Black/Green boots were over. But Bale isn't budging just yet. He's been in the form of his life wearing these particular f50 boots, and obviously is reluctant to switch.      

      Andreas Granqvist (Genoa) PUMA evoSPEED 1 K      

      Former PowerCat wearer Andreas Granqvist stepped out wearing the new Red/White/Ocean PUMA evoSPEED colourway for Genoa's Serie A fixture against AC Milan. It's not often you see a defender wearing the evoSPEED, but the Swedish international is obviously a fan of the boots, having worn them since their launch last year.      

      Albert Adomah (Bristol City) PUMA v1.815 Ferrari      

      Some boots are for playing in, some should just be kept in a safe! Bristol City winger Albert Adomah obviously isn't afraid of getting a bit of mud on his PUMA v1.815 Ferrari football boots. The Ghana international is widely known on the boot-scene for wearing the limited edition PUMA boots and he's getting a lot of life out of them! He began wearing the boots back in 2011!      

      Nick Kalmar (Melbourne Heart) adidas adiPURE SL      

      Another one of our favourite boots from last year. Despite a recent string of games for Melbourne Heart wearing the Predator LZ, Aussie midfielder Nick Kalmar came out wearing the Black/Black/Pop adiPURE SL football boots for his sides A-League match with Adelaide United.      

      Robin Van Persie (Manchester United) adidas f50 adizero      

      The main boot story of the weekend came from Old Trafford. After training in the f50 adizero last week, Robin Van Persie came off the bench for Manchester United wearing the Blue/White/Pink f50. It's been a long target for adidas to get the Dutch striker out of his favourite adiPower boots. Obviously not a fan of the Predator LZ, Van Persie has opted for the leather f50. We wouldn't say his adiPower days are over just yet though!