So the EUROs are all done and dusted. So while Spaniards are celebrating all over the world, the rest of us have something else to look forward to, the start of the 2012/2013 season in just 48 days time. We have the best boot spots from not just the European Championships final, but our extensive article also takes a look at spots from the Americas and Asia. Which boot spots made our harsh screening process this week?
Xavi Hernandez (Spain) – adidas Predator LZ
It was pretty difficult to pick a man of the match from the final, but we had to pick Xavi on the merit of his perfectly weighted assist for Jordi Alba’s goal that put Spain 2-0 up. While Xavi may not be picked as the man of the tournament, he certainly did his shift in the Spanish engine room against the Italians. He did it all in his Predator LZs which, interestingly, does not feature any forms of personalisation.
Aras Ozbiliz (Ajax) – adidas adiPure 11Pro
The European Championships may have just come to an end, but one or two teams have already got back together early to get together early ahead of their rivals. Ajax have kicked off their pre-season early, plus it seems one or two players have already got their hands on the boots they will be wearing for the 2012/2013 season prematurely. Aras Ozbiliz was seen wearing the Running White/Bright Blue/Black adiPure 11Pro this weekend (which we unveiled last week), which we think is going to be the colourway of choice for adiPure 11Pro wearers around the world this season.
Pedro Rodriguez (Spain) – Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII (Custom)
We know that Pedro Rodriguez has been a Mercurial Vapor VIII wearer since the boot was released a few months ago, but what’s interesting to note is the customisation that his boots have undertaken. While a lot of professionals have happily opted for the Pro SG soleplate, Pedro has customised his Vapor VIIIs with the same stud configuration from the original Superfly I. The simple Superfly I stud configuration had many admirers, so it is easy to see why the Barcelona midfielder has opted to get his boots specially made with that soleplate.
Thierry Henry (NY Red Bulls) – Puma King Finale SL
Despite being a faithful Reebok endorser for the past few years, Henry made the move to Puma a few months ago in time for their release of the Puma King SL. Surprisingly, despite being in New York to promote the new White/Ribbon Red/Limoges Puma colourways for the European Championships, Henry is still wearing the launch colourway of the Puma King Finale SL. While we do love the White/Navy/Orange Puma King Finale SL colourway, we would have thought one of the main faces behind the Puma King silo to be wearing the updated colourway for the range.
Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors) – adidas adiPure I (Custom)
It does seem these days that the MLS is the common pasture for a footballer before they hit retirement. Juan Roman Riquelme instead decided to throw himself into the cut-throat Argentina league. The former Barcelona and Villareal playmaker has returned to his beloved Boca Juniors, and this week played in the Copa Libertadores final against Corinthians. Riquelme has spent his time in a strange pair of blackout boots. We think they are blacked out adiPure Is, judging by the stitching on the heel and stud configuration.
Torsten Frings (Toronto FC) – Nike Tiempo Legend IV
Torsten Frings might be a name you have not heard of for a few years. We still remember Frings appearing in Nike’s ‘Put It Where You Want It’ advertising campaign in his T90 Laser Is back in 2007 (remember those ads?), so it is kind of surprising to see that the big German has changed to another boot within Nike these days. We gave the Tiempo Legend IV a big thumbs up for being an ever reliable boot that is amazingly comfortable, so it is an understandable decision from Frings.
Reggie Lambe (Toronto FC) – adidas adiZero RS7 Pro
While many of the main miCoach F50 adiZero colours are a little bit on the bright side, the rugby-minded adiZero RS7 Pro features much more simple colourways. The Red/White adiZero RS7 Pro also doubles as the perfect match to Reggie Lambe’s Toronto FC kit. The adiZero RS7 Pro is much like the old F50 adiZero TRX, except it only comes with a SG stud configuration option.
Yuji Ono (Yokohama F.Marinos) – Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII (Custom)
We know that the new Nike ‘Clash’ collection for the Euros is meant to be a clash of white and a contrasting colour, but it seems Yuji Ono of Yokohama F.Marinos is taking it to the next level! While we would love to think that Ono is doing this to create his own spin on the ‘Clash’ collection, the real reason why he has put masking tape over the entire red half of his left boot is probably a lot less original than what we speculate. It is probably time for Ono to buy a new pair of boots if he is using the tape to hold his boots together!
Felipe (Hannover 96) – adidas adiPure 11Pro SL
When the adidas adiPure 11Pro was dropped early this year, it received heavy criticism for ditching K-Leather in favour for Taurus leather, which is more or less calf skin leather. We thought this was pursued in an effort to reduce the weight of the boot, which is why we were surprised when adidas unveiled the adiPure 11Pro SL with K-Leather. We thought a lot of players may start going for the SL model with the K-Leather, which might be a reason why Hannover 96′s Felipe is wearing the adiPure 11Pro SL. Plus it provides a nice match with his kit too!
Alex (Corinthians) – Topper
There are quite a few brands in South America that we do not get to see too much of, but are featured by a few of the big players over in the Americas. Topper is a brand that definitely does not get too much publicity on this site, but this boot has definitely left us scratching our heads. It seems to be Topper’s attempt at a power boot, judging by the strange design on the inside of the boot that, to me, looks similar to where adidas placed the ‘sweet spot’ zone on the Predator LZ, except on a larger scale. We will definitely try and find out more about this intriguing boot.
Christian Pander (Hannover 96) – adidas Predator adiPower (Custom)
While it does seem that the Predator LZ is every we look, there are still a number of footballers who are staying loyal to the old Predator adiPower, a boot which we absolutely loved. And when Christian Pander has put as much effort as he has into making his own personalised Predator LZ, we can understand why letting go may be pretty hard for him! His clean all white adiPower with the shock of the green laces does remind us of the white adiPower SL that was released last season. It’s a nice clean effort from Christian Pander that brings together a sleek design with a touch of bright, modern colours.
That is it for our boot spotting article this week. What was your favourite spot? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
About Jordon English
Hey guys, Alex plays for Corinthians not santos…that was the game for the libertadores final earlier this week vs boca
Woops, seems I accidentally put down the wrong Brazilian team. It’s been duly amended. Thanks for that!
Riquelmes AdiPUREs are II’s, not I’s. You can see the more square heel counter featured on the II’s on Riquelme’s boots, whereas the I’s have a round heel counter with a white trim.
jay maike is right. also the stitching of the leather . on the adipure 1 the are stitched from the side of the boot to the front of the boot, running over the forefoot. here the are stitched from side to side like the adipure 2
Alex boot is the Topper FRZ Raza. (i’m brazilian, sorry for the english errors)
Pedro’s custom vapors had the superfly 2 sense studs soleplate!
WIth Ono’s boot, it almost looks like he threw a wrap around his boot/ankle and then taped the hell out of it with red tape.
I’d guess it’s more injury related than a boot falling apart.
Riquelme actually blacks out and rotates between his Adipure Is, II’s and III’s. He never renewed his contract with Adidas, which is why he blacks them out. He also wears blacked out Nike Legend IV’s at training!