Cowboys Kicker Wins Game in 2008 Nike Mercurial Vapor Boots
Just a few seconds were left on the clock in the tied game, and Dan Bailey of the Dallas Cowboys had the chance to once again prove he's the best kicker in NFL history. Having scored 25 of 26 field goals in 2015, Bailey drilled it in from 54 yards to win the game against Washington and retain a slim hope to still reach the play-offs.
But it wasn't only his impeccable kicking that caught the attention of many spectators, including Footy Headlines follower Martin. Many people, especially those familiar with soccer boots, were surprised by his unusual choice of footwear.
Dan Bailey's Mercurial Vapor IV Boots
Bailey laced up in 2008 Nike Mercurial Vapor IV cleats, opting for the white and blue colorway to match the Cowboys uniform. Headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo, the Nike Mercurial Vapor IV was first launched in February 2008 and introduced a new concept for Nike's speed silo.
For the first time, Nike added a stitched lace cover, designed to offer a cleaner ball contact area, both for dribbling at high speed and for striking the ball. Other than that, it featured a typical Mercurial speed sole plate, complete with a heightened heel counter for added protection.
The concept of the lace cover was carried over for the next two Nike Mercurial Vapor generations, before it was dropped for good with the release of the Nike Mercurial Vapor VII in 2011.
To be honest, a bit more boot-diversity on European football turfs wouldn't hurt. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
If you spot an unusual or interesting boot choice, feel free to let us know via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or send us an email if you'd like to be featured in the Footy Headlines Boot Watch.
Barcelona 26-27 Away Kit Leaked - 3 New Images
Football kit insider @grhaer9, in cooperation with @opaleak, has shared three new images of the Barcelona 2026-2027 away shirt.
Goalkeeper Kits Added to FIFA Kit Creator and PES Master Bulk Generator
The popular kit design tools FIFA Kit Creator and PES Master have officially added goalkeeper kits to their Bulk Generator feature. This new update allows users to efficiently generate multiple goalkeeper kit designs at once for both EA FC and PES.
https://fifakitcreator.com/bulk-generator/
https://www.pesmaster.com/kit-creator/bulk-generator/
Adidas and Newcastle have prepared the outer area of the team's stadium ahead of the launch of the 26-27 home kit tomorrow, as spotted by @SupportersNufc. The Newcastle United 26-27 home kit has a barcode look.
Adidas is preparing something special for River in 2027. Stay tuned for more on Footy Headlines very soon.
Germany 2026 World Cup Numbers Announced
Update - June 9, 2026: Retailer subsidesports has created a stunning college image showcasing the Adidas Germany 2026 World Cup typeface, applied to both the kit and the full squad lineup. They have also given us a first look at the new 2026 World Cup sleeve badge on the Germany shirt.
The German national team has released its official squad shirt numbers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Manuel Neuer retains the number one jersey in goal, with Oliver Baumann at twelve and Alexander Nübel at twenty-one. Defensively, Antonio Rüdiger wears two, Joshua Kimmich six, Nico Schlotterbeck fifteen, and Malick Thiaw twenty-four. On the attacking side, Jamal Musiala takes the ten, Florian Wirtz seventeen, Jamie Leweling nine, and Leroy Sané nineteen.
Goalkeepers
1 – Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
12 – Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim)
21 – Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart)
Defenders
2 – Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
3 – Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund)
4 – Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)
5 – Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich)
6 – Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
13 – Pascal Groß (Borussia Dortmund)
15 – Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
16 – Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart)
18 – Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt)
22 – David Raum (RB Leipzig)
23 – Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund)
24 – Malick Thiaw (AC Milan)
Forwards
7 – Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
8 – Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
9 – Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart)
10 – Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
11 – Nick Woltemade (VfB Stuttgart)
14 – Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund)
17 – Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
19 – Leroy Sané (Galatasaray)
20 – Nadiem Amiri (Mainz 05)
25 – Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich)
26 – Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart)
Germany, drawn in Group E, will face Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador as they begin their quest for a fifth FIFA World Cup title.
