Nike Mercurial - 1998
How could we not start with the very first version? The Nike Mercurial boots were launched ahead of the 1998 World Cup in France, ready for Ronaldo to wear with the Brazilian national team. One of the most iconic images from that era is that of the striker, wearing his silver medal, tying the laces of his boots so he could drape them around his neck.
Their KNG-100 upper, which closely resembled leather and had water-repellent properties, made for a lightweight boot that, even back then, revolutionised the traditional concept of football boots.
Nike Mercurial Vapor III - White/Gold - 2006
We move on to the year of the World Cup in Germany, with a pair of boots that Vincenzo Iaquinta also wore in blue when he scored the goal that sealed Italy’s first match against Ghana.
Among the most attractive colour combinations – alongside the yellow and green version created especially for Ronaldo – the white and gold version that Cristiano Ronaldo wore in the first ‘Joga Bonito’ adverts stands out.
It was one of the first models to feature a Teijin microfibre upper, capable of moulding to the shape of the foot and offering extraordinary comfort for that era.
Nike Mercurial Vapor IV - Orange/Black - 2008
How could we ever forget the first boots with hidden laces? A design that took Mercurial fans by storm back then.
These were the boots that accompanied CR7 as he won his first Ballon d’Or and his first Champions League title. They were released in numerous colourways, all of them spectacular, but perhaps the orange version is the most memorable, along with the green and pink ones.
The Teijin upper, combined with the lacing cover, continued to offer great comfort and provided a new striking surface that was wider than that of traditional boots with visible laces.
Nike Mercurial Superfly - Red/Silver - 2009
The incorporation of Nike FlyWire technology into the lacing system led to the launch of the first Nike Mercurial Superfly boots.
Their ultra-lightweight construction and carbon fibre outsole resulted in boots that were perfect for speed, offering excellent traction on the pitch and an upper that continued to utilise Teijin material.
The first colourway remains, arguably, the most attractive of all the Mercurial Superfly models up to the third generation. The distinctive red was paired with a silver outer side, creating an unmistakable design.
Nike Mercurial Superfly IV - Red - 2014
In the year of the World Cup in Brazil, after unveiling the revolutionary Nike Magista Obra featuring Flyknit technology and, above all, the Dynamic Fit collar, Nike relaunched the Superfly after a two-year hiatus.
This new model also incorporated Flyknit construction and the Dynamic Fit collar, giving rise to the first Nike Mercurials with the famous sock-like fit.
The classic red colour, used in many of the launches across the various Mercurial generations, added visibility and character to boots that have always been synonymous with technological innovation.
It’s no secret that a new generation of Mercurials will be unveiled on 7 February ahead of the World Cup in Russia. Will it be able to outshine any of these five?
