Global Football Boots Spotting - 14/10/13
Global Boot Spotting - 14/10/13
The pick of the week's best football boots from across the globe.
We've scanned across the action from the weekend's international and domestic fixtures to bring you the best football boots on show. From old school Preds to custom Mercurial colourways, we take a look at the boots that caught our eye as the World Cup Finals line-up begins to take shape...
Aaron Ramsey (Wales) adidas Predator LZ |
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Aaron Ramsey made a surprise switch back into the first generation adidas Predator LZ as Wales beat Macedonia 1-0 on Friday night to overtake Scotland and restore some pride to their World Cup qualifying campaign. Ramsey has been in the form of his life for Arsenal this season which makes his boot switch all the more unusual. |
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Robin van Persie (Holland) adidas F50 adizero |
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Robin van Persie is another player who opted to wear different boots for his country than he does for his club. RVP left his custom F50's in Manchester and laced up in the standard red adizero's as Holland battered Hungary 8-1. The United striker was wearing his customised adiPower soleplate again as he claimed the matchball by banging in a hat trick. |
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Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) PUMA evoSPEED 1.2 |
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With a World Cup coming up Samuel Eto'o has conveniently decided he'd like to come out of international retirement. Eto'o was thrown straight into the action wearing the latest PUMA evoSPEED 1.2 colourway as his side drew 0-0 with Tunisia in the first leg of their play off. |
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Craig Bellamy (Wales) Warrior Gambler |
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Craig Bellamy will round off his international career on Tuesday night when Wales visit Belgium. The veteran striker has announced the final qualifier will be his last for his country and he'll be looking to add to the win over Macedonia on Friday night. Bellamy had previously been wearing a blacked out pair of Warrior Gambler boots but finally slipped into the latest white/pink colourway for his penultimate game for his country. |
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Alberto Di Chiara (Stelle Crociate) adidas Predator Pulse |
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The old boys friendly games always bring out a few random boot spots as the ex-pros dig out their old kit and that was the case as FC Parma celebrated their 100th anniversary with Alberto Di Chiara dusting off his adidas Predator Pulse's from 2004. Any Predator with the elasticated tongue will always be a popular boot and we're well aware of the fan groups that would love to see it return. |
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Neymar (Brazil) Nike HyperVenom |
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Neymar made the delayed switch into the hi-vis Nike HyperVenom as Brazil beat South Korea in a friendly. The Barca man was on the scoresheet by netting a free kick in Seoul as Brazil ran out 2-0 winners with Chelsea's Oscar scoring the other. With Brazil automatically qualifying for the World Cup in their own back yard they're keeping busy by playing friendlies on every international break. |
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Lyle Taylor (Sheffield United) NikeiD Mercurial Vapor IX |
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Sheffield United striker Lyle Taylor came off the bench to score his first two goals for the Blades against Coventry and subsequently became his club's joint top scorer for the season. Taylor has whipped up a custom pair of black/red NikeiD Mercurials to match his team's home colours and he'll be hoping they help him fire in some more goals to lift United off the bottom of League One. |
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Maya Yoshida (Japan) Mizuno Wave Ignitus 3 |
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Maya Yoshida has fallen out of favour in the Southampton team but he was back in action wearing his Mizuno Wave Ignitus 3 boots as Japan lost 2-0 to Serbia. The Japanese have already booked their place in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and Mizuno will be hoping Yoshida gets more minutes with the Saints to be assured of his seat on the Plane to Rio. |
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Franck Ribery (France) Nike Mercurial Vapor IX |
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Franck Ribery turned out in the new hi-vis Nike Mercurial for the first time on Friday night as his country hit Australia for six. Ribery kicked off proceedings with an 8th minute penalty leaving the Aussies hoping that they won't get drawn in the same group as the French in Brazil. |
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Dragun (Belarus) adidas F50 adizero |
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The tremendously named Dragun caught our eye for Belarus at the weekend, the defender was wearing a whiteout pair of adizeros with a unique personalised font on each boot with his initial and squad number. Spain, who had already qualified for the World Cup beat their visitors 2-0. As for what Michu's doing, we've got no idea. |
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Brandon Marshall (Chicago Bears) Nike HyperVenom Phatal |
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Yeah, ok, he's not a real footballer but Chicago Bear with us, it's a decent story. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall used his Thursday Night platform to bring awareness to Mental Illness Awareness Week. The Nike HyperVenom Phatal's don't meet the NFL's strict uniform policy and Marshall will likely be fined somewhere in the region for $10,000 for his footwear statement but he's promised to match any fines with donations to charities supporting both Mental Illness and Breast Cancer Awareness. Top man. |
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If there are any players boots that you've spotted and think we should feature, mail us at: u2us@soccerbible.com putting 'Boot Spotting' in the subject field.