Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF) - adidas Copa 20.1
It comes as no surprise to see Sergio Ramos currently training in different styles of football boots. In recent weeks, the Real Madrid centre-back has been spotted wearing a blackout version of what appeared to be a pair of New Balance Tekela boots. However, in the days leading up to the LaLiga match against Deportivo Alavés, the Real Madrid defender has been training in several sessions at the Ciudad Deportiva wearing a pair of adidas Copa 20.1s from the German brand’s latest collection. A dark-toned boot, but with the three stripes in bright orange that do not go unnoticed, not even by Nike, the brand that still sponsors him and with whom he remains under contract for the coming months. Ramos has always been a unique player in this regard: despite his link with Nike, he has managed his choice of boots with considerable freedom, alternating between models depending on the competitive context and the visual impact he was seeking on the pitch. Given this situation, it would not be far-fetched to think that the Seville-born player is sending a message to Nike, hinting that, if certain conditions are not met, he might consider switching brands. He certainly has no shortage of options.
James Rodríguez (Everton FC) - adidas Nemeziz 19.1
The Colombian has been in superb form since joining Liverpool. James Rodríguez has always been a player associated with speed boots. He started out with the adidas F50, and after that range was discontinued, he switched to the adidas X line, where he remained for several seasons, even going so far as to wear the X Ghosted. In recent weeks, the Everton FC player has been training in the adidas Nemeziz 19.1 from the Atmospherick pack, and in his last two competitive matches he has taken to the pitch in the adidas Nemeziz from the Precision to Blur pack. A change of boots that in no way alters his playing style or his approach to the game, which is based on speed, dribbling and explosiveness in the final third.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal FC) - Nike Phantom Venom
The 28-year-old Swiss footballer has been associated with Under Armour for many years, even having exclusive boot ranges designed just for him. However, perhaps due to competition and the influence of other brands in the world of football boots, the Arsenal player has been wearing adidas boots in recent weeks and, more recently, Nike boots. In fact, he has already played official matches in a pair of Nike Phantom Venoms and, more recently, in a blackout version of the Mercurial Vapor. Everything suggests that the Arsenal FC player could end up switching to Nike if he does not receive a more attractive offer from another brand.
Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal FC) - Nike Phantom Vision
Arsenal were one of the main talking points in boot spotting last week, given Granit Xhaka’s change of boots, William’s possible switch (reportedly from the Ultra to a new Future model) and the case of Shkodran Mustafi, who has ditched his usual boots to return to a Nike model. These are the Nike Phantom Vision, a range that was discontinued to make way for the new Nike Phantom GT and which, as is often said, despite being a high-end boot, never quite won over many of the brand’s professional players. However, the German seems entirely convinced and has recently been training and playing in this range.
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