In line with the thrilling release of the new Nike gem, the Nike Mercurial CR7 Vitória, we have made a review from our personal top 5 models of all time. 5 top players that have been highly acclaimed in their clubs and national squads, accumulating leading individual awards and recognition among worldwide football fans. 5 boots that a lucky few have been able to try.
Ronaldo Nazario - Nike Mercurial Vapor chrome R9 (2002 World cup)
Ronaldo Nazario arrived in 2002 to Korea and Japan's World Cup after a long period of 2 years away from the football pitches due to serious injury. Despite this misfortune, the american brand Nike really trusted in him and developed a groundbreaking model, the Nike Mercurial Vapor I with a chrome plating finish as never seen before, which he wore throughout the whole competition. On such a demanding scenery, Ronaldo shew his ever lasting talent to the world and became the top scorer with 8 goals. 'The phenomenon' had made unforgettable comeback. These Mercurial were sold as a limited edition and even today are considered to be a piece for collectionists.
Zinedine Zidane - adidas Predator Absolute Gold (2006 World Cup)
Zinedine Zidane had already retired from Real Madrid squad before stunting in the 2006 World Championship held in Germany, knowing beforehand it was going to be his last appearance playing as a professional. To honour his trajectory, adidas created this golden Predator Absolute, to take part in the greatest tournamentof all. Zizou played one of the best tournaments imaginable, displaying all distinctive skills and leading France to face Italy in the final, where he opened the scoring by converting a controversial penalty kick Panenka style. Besides his outstanding performace during the whole tournament, he was sent off in his last-ever match, for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi's chest in retaliation to the italian's verbal provocation.
This particular model never went on sale.
Ronaldinho Gaucho - Nike Air Legent Tiempo R10 (2005)
As football enthusiasts, we are all familiar with the Nike Tiempo Air Legend R10 worn by Ronaldinho Gaúcho; back in those days where the brazilian star used to display his skills at FC Barcelona, these pearly white and gold cleats made a solid impression due their appealing design and the showy gameplay the brazilian used to delight us with. A such popular pair of boots had their own "remake" 10 years later; not many people know, though,that two pairs of boots where crafted with real gold details, one for the player and one for the Nike fabric in Montebelluna.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Vapor (Balon d'Or 2013)
El luso acaba de recibir su 4 balón de oro y como os contamos en el post “Las botas de oro de Cristiano Ronaldo” Nike le ha premiado con las Nike Mercurial CR7 Vitórias de las que se producirán un total de 777 pares. Pero en enero de 2014 Cristiano volvía a recoger el ansiado premio 5 años después, en una lucha interminable con Leo Messi. Por dicha conquista Nike le fabricó unas Mercurial Vapor IX CR7 con carcasa blanca y suela dorada, similar a las CR7 Vitórias, y de la que se fabricaron un total de 100 pares para todo el mundo.
The portuguese received his fourth leading indvididual award some days ago, so Nike decided to honour him with the sublime Nike Mercurial CR7 Vitórias; as seen previously in our blog, only 777 pairs will be sold worldwide, for the misfortune of the most enthusiastic CR7 fans. Back in 2014, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IX CR7, featuring a white frame and a golden outsole, immediately became a 'one of its kind' among the mercurial line, a memorable model from the american brand, this time only 100 pairs being sold around the world.
Leo Messi - adidas Messi 15.1 Platinum (Balon d'Or 2015)
El astro argentino ha ganado el Balón de Oro un total de 5 veces, 4 de ellas consecutivas y la quinta en 2015. La marca alemana, adidas, le ha fabricado botas homenaje por los cuatro últimos balones de oro pero me quedo con las de color blanco platino de por su Balón de Oro en 2015, conseguido gracias a conquistar Copa, Liga y Champions en el mismo año. Unas adidas Messi 15.1, bota completamente blancas, como le gusta al argentino, y de la que no salió ni un solo par a la venta y del que se desconoce la producción total, posiblemente dos, una para el delantero y otra que guardan en la sede adidas.
The argentinean star has accumulated 5 Balon d'Or throughout his carrer, the former 4 in a row and the latter in 2015. Out from all the special editions released by adidas to conmemorate such 5 occasions, our favourite is the platinum white released by the german brand in 2015, which he truly deserved after winning 'la Liga', the Spanish Cup and the Champions Leaguewith F.C Barcelona. The adidas Messi 15.1 became a solid addition to his own signature line, and immediately drew attention from the football fans. Not a single pair of these was ever sold worldwide.
More exlusive boots:
