30. Nike Mercurial Superfly 4, 2014
Stars who wore them: Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery
"The 2014 Superfly makes a quantum leap forward in what high-performance boots can be" said Nike President and CEO, Mark Parker, at the Superfly IV launch event in 2014. He was right.
This boot changed the game somewhat in 2014 thanks to the introduction of Flyknit to football boots. Originally seen on the Magista earlier in 2014, Nike applied a new three-knit weave to the Superfly meaning there was less material between the foot and thus enhancing players’ touch. The high-top Dynamic Fit Collar, radically transformed the Mercurial silhouette from what it started life as in 1998. Note the tiny cables from the laces to the sole that helped with lockdown.
29. Nike Hypervenom Phantom, 2013
Stars who wore them: Neymar
Nike replaced their legendary Total 90 series with this lightweight Hypervenom range in 2013. The lacing system was the closest comparative feature that made its way onto the Hypervenom line from the T90.
The primary feature was the ultra-grippy 'NikeSkin' overlay for improved comfort and a barefoot feel. An easy-on-the-eye Honeycomb panelling decorated the upper with the original orange and black colourway now highly sought after.
28. Nike CTR360 Maestri II, 2010
Stars who wore them: Andres Iniesta, Jack Wilshere, Sami Khedira
In 100 years from now, future humans will take one look at the Nike CTR360s and inform you that they were made in 2014. They feel so of that era – to the extent that suuuurely everyone on the planet had a pair of these in the mid-2010s? Simple, cool, durable and in a range of colours, they ticked all the boxes.
27. Adidas F50.6 Tunit, 2006
Stars who wore them: Lionel Messi, David Villa, Lukas Podolski
The chop-and-change studs project from Adidas in the mid-2000s may have died a death when everyone lost their screw-in studs on the grass - but these boots are still beautiful today. Adi's answer to the Vapor, these came in superb colours, they were lightweight and they felt fantastic. Bring them out today and they'd still be a hit.
26. Nike Tiempo Legend 6 Francesco Totti, 2006
Stars who wore them: Francesco Totti
Totti and Tiempo goes together like spaghetti and bolognese sauce. The Roma legend's signature was to make sure all of his Tiempo boots are modified with a fold over tongue. In 2017, to celebrate his 25th year at Roma, they dipped this pair in gold for him to wear in the derby against Lazio.
With custom 'Totti' branding on the heels and a rose-tinted sole plate, just 2,500 pairs were made. A jaw dropping boot.
25. Nike Mercurial Vapor III, 2006
Stars who wore them: Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo
The Vapors were evolving. Gone was the heel panel, replaced with a halftone fade: these were the boots that Thierry Henry ripped Real Madrid apart in the Bernabeu and he looked every inch the superstar. Ronaldo, naturally, had some Brazil-coloured ones for the World Cup, too.
24. Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3, 2018
Stars who wore them: Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford
Part of the 'Just Do It Pack' released for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Nike Hypervenom Phantom III Elite were re-engineered to focus more on their lockdown, offer more agility and greater power on firm ground.
Flyknit never felt (or looked) so good. These boots were memorable for the heel counters of each which contained a triangle made up of 32 lines, one line for each country competing at the World Cup. The triangle also served as a custom canvas with players having the option of placing their country's flag on that area.
Many did, and it looked sick.
23. Adidas Copa Whiteout, 2014
Stars who wore them: N/A
"What's cooler than being cool?" Outkast first pondered. The answer is of course taking a classic like the Copa Mundial, with all its rich texture, nostalgia and downright football 'eritage and spraypainting the whole thing white.
These special editions came out in 2014 and are extremely rare. They're unicorns of the football boot world: something you always knew should exist but couldn't possibly. Ice cold, indeed.
22. Adidas F50 Adizero, 2011
Stars who wore them: Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale
Acid yellow and purple is certainly a statement, with the 2011 F50 Adizone resembling a couple of Chewits that had melted together in your school blazer. The design of the F50 has always been a favourite at FFT Towers. This pair, worn by Messi, Bale and school kids across the nation, were up there with the best of all.
21. Nike Mercurial Flyknit Ultra, 2018
Stars who wore them: Eden Hazard
Nike made just 1,500 pairs of this Nike Mercurial Vapor Flyknit Ultra in black/metallic gold. They were worn exclusively by Eden Hazard for a limited run of games on his return from injury.
Hazard was the easy choice at the time, having worn the Mercurial series throughout his entire 15 year playing career to date, he was one of the best players in the world at the time having just won the league and FA Cup with Chelsea.
