Cristiano Ronaldo has become one of the greatest to ever grace the game. Watching him dominate world football for two decades has been an honour. Celebrating an unbelievable 23 years of CR7, we are taking a look back at the boots he wore during some career-defining moments.
What a career Cristiano Ronaldo has had. From the streets of Funchal, made in Manchester and flourished in Madrid. CR7 has cemented his name into the hall of fame, arguably becoming the greatest of all time, and Nike have been by his side every step of the way. Throughout his career, Sporting to Saudi, Ronaldo has been scoring goals religiously in Mercurials. We are delving into all the Nike boots Cristiano has donned during some of the biggest moments of his career. Let’s kick it off back in ’02.
Nike Mercurial Vapor I | Profesional Debut | August 2002
This is where it all began. Working hard in the academy at C.D. Nacional and Sporting Lisbon had led him to this moment. August 14 2002. A young Cristiano Ronaldo steps onto the professional scene as his first appearance for Sporting, in the first generation of Mercurial Vapor's. The same "Dark Cinder Maize" colourway later gifted Ronny his first professional goal a couple months later. A boot that will go down in history thanks to Cristiano. What we'd do to see him take it right back and lace these up one more time.
Nike Mercurial Vapor I | Manchester United Debut | August 2003
A fantastic first professional season at Sporting thrusted Cristiano's name into the world. With interests from multiple clubs, Sir Alex Ferguson eventually sealed the deal with the talented winger to bring him to Old Trafford. He made his United debut in beloved Mercurial Vapor I's. A boot we have seen brought back by Nike in the last few months, hopefully we have more on the way.
Nike Mercurial Vapor I | First United Goal | November 2003
Once again in the first generation of Mercurial Vapor. This time Cristiano scores his first goal as a Manchester United player in a slick white colourway. The first of many at Old Trafford.
Nike Mercurial Vapor II | First Portugal Goal | June 2004
The golden boy scores his first goal for Portugal in golden Mercurial's. The first game of the tournament and Ronaldo lives up to his hype, not a bad way to start your first-ever major tournament. Portugal went on to reach the final before unfortunately losing to Greece, heartbreak for young Cristiano. Feels rude not to mention how class that kit is as well.
Nike Mercurial Vapor III | First World Cup | July 2006
World Cup Ronaldo donned the iconic number 17 shirt (he had to wait for Figo to retire before getting the 7) paired with the disruptive red and white colourway of Vapor III's. This aesthetic went hard. However, I doubt England fans liked this era of Ronaldo. After the controversial Wayne Rooney red card and Ronaldo wink in the quarter finals that led to England being knocked out, the Portuguese star became public enemy number one.
Nike Mercurial Vapor III | First Champions League Goal | April 2007
Ronaldo quickly shut down all 'boos' from English fans during the 06/07 season. You could say this is where the boy became the man. Despite all the hate the man turned up and performed week-in and week-out. His hardwork paid off, Mr. Champions League scored his first ever goal in the competition during this season. We all know he goes onto to score plenty more.
Nike Mercurial Vapor IV | First Champions League trophy | May 2008
One of the greatest individual seasons ever by a Premier League player is finished with the Champions League trophy to complete it. Cristiano Ronaldo lifts his first ever European trophy after scoring in the final vs Chelsea wearing the fourth generation of Vapor's. The whole world knew now, this guy was seriously good.
Nike Mercurial Vapor IV | 100th United Goal | November 2008
The fourth generation of Vapor's provide again for CR7, seeing him pass the 100 goal milestone for Manchester United in stunning fashion. United's starboy became a club icon.
Nike Mercurial Superfly I | Puskas Winning Goal | April 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to ever win the Puskás award with a stunning freekick vs Porto. If you haven't seen it, go watch it now. The belting right effort was scored wearing the first generation of Mercurial Superfly – the first non Vapor silo he wore, which later became a favourite of CR. Fashioned in that split red and silver colourway, it looks so good with the United home kit.
Nike Mercurial Superfly I | Real Madrid Debut | August 2009
The talented winger leaves United a club legend. A record-breaking transfer of 80 million euros sees Cristiano move to Los Blancos. The Portuguese star continued his great form into the Madrid side, scoring on his debut whilst wearing a stealthy new colourway of Superfly's.
Nike Mercurial Superfly II x CR7 | First Signature Boot | October 2010
After becoming the face of the Nike Mercurial since his rise to glory, Ronaldo is eventually rewarded with his own signature boot. The Mercurial Superfly II saw a 'Safari' visual design refresh, made to mirror his speed and style. This became the first of 31 future signature boots for the Portuguese forward.
Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII | 100th Madrid Goal | March 2012
The Real Madrid star takes it back to the Vapor's for his 100th goal for the football giants. Fans worldwide were desperate to get their hands on a pair of the "Bright Mango" Vapor VIII's just to be like their idol. A stand-out colourway for a stand-out player.
Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII | 100th Portugal Cap | October 2012
Making 100 appearances for your club is one thing, for your country is a completely other level. Ronaldo received his 100th cap almost a decade since his debut for this national side, doing so in another bright colourway of Vapor.
Nike Mercurial Superfly IV x CR7 | Ballon D'or Signature Boots | January 2015
To celebrate winning his third Ballon D'or, Nike gifted Cristiano with the 'Rare Gold' signature CR7 boot. Rare isn't just in its name, with only 333 pairs of these being made worldwide. Arriving in the golden shimmers of the esteemed trophy, fading into a darker heel. That's how you celebrate winning the Ballon D'or.
Nike Mercurial Superfly IV | 500th Career Goal | September 2015
Not many players make it to 500 career goals, Ronaldo did it at the age of 30 still in his prime. A milestone made in style, dressed in the fourth generation of Superfly's in that iconic 'Hyper Pink' colourway. The streets won't forget this boot.
Nike Mercurial Superfly V | First International Trophy | July 2016
This Superfly is one close to Cristiano's heart, a boot full of memories. Started with heartbreak for the Portuguese as he gets injured in the first half of the Euros final vs France, the biggest match of his career. Despair for Portugal fans as they see their national hero limp off the pitch, whilst a strong France side lingered ready to pounce on the opportunity. However, little did they know, another hero was ready to make a name for himself – Eder. A lovely finish from the striker skips past Lloris and sees Portugal win the game. Ronaldo and Portugal's first international trophy, one he has admitted means more to him than any Ballon D'or. Celebration in the streets of Portugal as CR7 leads them to the first trophy in their history. A beautiful moment.
Nike Mercurial Superfly V x CR7 | 100th Champions League Goal | April 2017
You can literally hear this picture. That iconic celebration. Mr. Champions league scores his 100th goal in a way only Ronaldo could, a perfect hattrick. Sounds about right for him doesn't it? There is no question that this man loved the CL, the biggest competition at club level became a playground to CR. He is HIM.
Nike Mercurial Superfly VI x CR7 | Bicycle Kick vs Juventus | April 2018
This era of CR7 was so goated. Teams turned up knowing they were going to lose. Champions League night, long sleeves, noodle hair and Superfly's. This aesthetic was one of the scariest in the game – unplayable. The 'Born Leader' signature Superfly's saw Ronaldo score one of the greatest goals ever seen, Juventus players could only watch on as he lept into the air and performed a perfect bicycle kick. It's even crazier when you find out his foot was 2.38 meters high.
Nike Mercurial Superfly VI | First Juventus Goal | September 2018
Three Champions League trophies in a row was enough for CR to believe that it was time to move onto a new challenge, which led him to the Serie A. After a shock transfer in the summer, Cristiano went on to score his first goal in new threads in September, wearing the seventh generation of Superfly. A slick 'off-white' finish to these boots looked clean on the pitch.
Nike Mercurial Superfly VIII | 100th Juventus Goal | May 2021
At an age where most have retired, Ronaldo was busy scoring his 100th goal for the third club in his career. After he signed for Juve, fans were quick to say he couldn't hack it at Madrid anymore and was preparing a retirement plan in the Serie A, well they were proved wrong. 100 goals in two and a half years at the club – easy for CR7.
Nike Mercurial Superfly VIII x CR7 | Return To Old Trafford | September 2021
Every United fan dreamt of this moment since his departure in '09. The star boy who went on to great things was finally back home. Ronaldo made his second debut for Man United against Newcastle, Old Trafford bouncing with anticipation. In typical Ronaldo fashion, he gave the fans what they waited so long for, two goals from the Portuguese sent United to a 4-1 win. He was back 12 years later and it was like he never left. It was only right he paired the occasion with a boot to match – a custom signature gifted by Nike which celebrated his home (Madeira) and was only available to 110 rising stars.
Nike Mercurial Superfly Dream Speed | 100 Premier League Goals | April 2022
Cristiano finally got his 100th Premier League goal during his second spell in the league, cementing his Premier League legacy. During this time, he chose to lace up the latest Mercurial Dream Speed, a silo built for the next generation of Ronaldo-esque players – fast, skilful and direct.
Nike Mercurial Superfly IX x CR7 | Al Nassr Debut | January 2023
The love story between the Portuguese star and Man United slowly became tainted. A fall out with Ten Hag left Ronaldo in an ugly position, the GOAT was benched. Knowing it was time for a new chapter, Ronaldo made an unprecedented move to the Saudi League, signing for Al Nassr. A league that sat in the shadows of the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A was suddenly thrusted into the limelight. After an incredible unveiling where 25,000 fans filled Al Nassr's stadium to admire Cristiano in yellow and blue, CR started his Saudi career just how he wanted to go on – scoring on his debut. During the match Ronaldo wore his latest signature Mercurial Superfly's, which seems to be the last of his own signatures to this day. The end of an iconic boot era.
Nike Mercurial Vapor XVI | 900th Career Goal | September 2024
39 year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 900th career goal during Portugal nations league match against Croatia. An emotional moment, he became the first player to ever reach the milestone. In the months leading up to this, we had seen the Portuguese icon start to steer away from his beloved Superfly's, favouring the Vapor silo instead, which he chooses again here. Bring it to the current day and CR7 is already at 925 and still wearing Vapor's. The greatest goal-scorer we have ever seen. Will we see Ronaldo do the impossible and reach 1000 professional goals before he retires? If anyone is going to do it, it's him.
Watch this space to see what boots Ronaldo will be donning next...
