Stars Break In Unreleased CTR IIIs Before the Official Launch

We have anticipated that the release of the new CTR Maestri III is not too far away, but the number of CTR Maestri IIIs that have been spotted this weekend seem to suggest that the release of the boot is imminent, perhaps even occurring in the next week or so. We normally see one player wearing an unreleased boot each week, but we have already spotted 3 players this weekend breaking out the CTR Maestri III ahead of the official launch of the boot.

While the internet has been swarming with unofficial photos of the boot for the past 6 months, they have definitely divided the masses when it comes to the new update of the boot. While the jump between the CTR I and II was pretty minimal, there are definitely big differences between the CTR II and III. It has seen some European stars already wearing their pair of CTR IIIs ahead of the launch, and it seems they are doing it to get used to Nike’s new ‘Control’ boot.

The CTR III has a raft of new features, which probably explains why a few players are jumping the gun ahead of the release. The highlights include a new upper, which has been given the original name of Kanga-Lite II, which we anticipate to be lighter and feel even closer to kangaroo leather. The pass-pad on the instep has been given a facelift, while the dampening pods on the front of the boot has been ditched in favour for a dimpled surface that increases the surface area available to control the ball. One thing that has not really changed is the design of the boot, Nike are still integrating the almost iconic CTR two block colourway scheme.

While the two players above are not exactly household names, they have still being extremely fortunate in receiving their CTR IIIs ahead of the official release, which might lead Nike left scratching their heads as to how they already got their pair of boots. NAC Breda’s Peter van Gommeren (first photo) and MSV Duisberg’s Tanju Oeztuerk (second photo) are already showing off their flashy pairs of CTR IIIs.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Mamadou Sakho is another name who is wearing in his CTR IIIs early. The young French star has been constantly switching in and out of the CTR II and Tiempo Legend IV throughout the 2011/12 season, but it seems he will be starting the new season in the Yellow/Black/White CTR III. He is probably the biggest name so far we have seen in a pair of CTR IIIs (not including Iniesta testing prototypes of the boot), so it will be interesting to see when we are going to see the other European stars in the CTR III.

There is probably one more thing that you guys may be able to pick up on from these photos. While the headline colourway for the CTR I and II both featured red, Nike are allowing the Red/Black/White CTR III to take the backseat this time, as it will be playing second fiddle to the Yellow/Black/White colourway. Either way, it will be interesting to see whether there are going to be any stars going after the seemingly traditional Red/Black/White colourway.

We are going to be unveiling the boot in the next two weeks, while the boot will go on sale from the 1st of August. Until then, are you going to be picking up a pair of CTR IIIs?