What's Up with the Upper of the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl?
Nov 28, 2016, by Pat
It's time to speak more about the confusion that is the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl and its different uppers.
As you might have noticed over the last few days and perhaps already before the official launch, not just Paul Pogba, but ALL professionals are wearing a sort of prototype / sample of the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl - one that's almost nothing like the one that hit retail and was dubbed a "16.5" by some.
An interesting perspective on the whole situation is offered by Unisport's JayMike who recently said that he hopes that the Ace 17+ PureControl will get updated before its eventually replaced by the Ace 18+. Now, this could just be his inner boot nerd speaking, but it would be extremely naive to assume that a person in his position would voice something along those lines without knowing at least something.
Another point in favor of an update of the Ace 17+ PureControl upper at one point is the fact that all leaked colorways feature the second upper. If Adidas had settled on reverting to the 16+ upper for whatever reason, one would assume that later samples, for example for the Fall / Winter 2017 period, would be based on the definitive upper by now.
All in all, we are fairly certain that we'll see the Ace 17+ PureControl's real look instore sooner than later. Possibly already with January's Checkered Black edition. If you cannot wait to try out what the pros are wearing, you should probably give the 'Tango' rendition of the Ace 17+ PureControl, available with turf and indoor outsoles, a try. By the looks of it, its upper is identical to the earlier leaks of the cleated edition, i.e. what the professionals are wearing.
So why is so important for Adidas to update the upper? First, it's kind of odd to release a boot that's virtually unchanged and branding it as a whole new edition - or at least that's what people could feel in this situation. Additionally, we believe it's important that players are not advertising boots that have almost nothing in common with what they are wearing on the field, as e.g. Paul Pogba is doing currently. We feel that this could hurt Adidas reputation with time.
There are also a number of more practical reasons to update the upper. For one, there where a few critics of the initial laceless PureControl boots voiced concerns about the fit being too loose in general - an update could help resolve this. Also, the 16+ PureControl's upper construction, while getting rid of laces, added a second compression techfit layer. It looks like the 'real' Ace 17+ PureControl upper is just one layer, which could offer a better connection with and improved feel for the ball.
What do you think? Share your thoughts on the Ace 17+ PureControl upper controversy in the comments below.
CSKA 1948 Sofia 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Bulgarian First Professional Football League side CSKA 1948 Sofia has officially launched its new home, away, and third kits for the 2026-27 season. The collection is manufactured by German brand Jako, continuing the partnership between the club and the sportswear company.
The CSKA 1948 Sofia 2026-27 kits combine the club's traditional identity with a modern athletic design. The home shirt features the classic red base associated with the team, while the away and third jerseys offer distinct alternative colorways for the upcoming campaign. According to the club, the new Jako shirts are crafted from high-quality materials to ensure maximum comfort and functionality on the pitch.
The CSKA 1948 Sofia 2026-27 home, away, and third kits are now available to purchase through the club's official online store. The release completes the team's lineup as they prepare for the start of the new domestic season in Bulgaria.
Belgium Introduce American Football-Inspired Lineup Graphic at 2026 World Cup
The Belgian national team has caught the attention of fans and kit enthusiasts during the 2026 World Cup with their unique lineup graphics. Their latest design, highlighted by football, features a striking American football theme, serving as a fitting nod to the tournament's North American host nations.
Rather than a standard list or traditional pitch layout, the new graphic presents the starting XI in a style reminiscent of an NFL playbook or broadcast graphic. This follows a series of highly praised, creative lineup announcements from the Belgian camp throughout the tournament, which have stood out for their distinctive typography and layout.
The decision to incorporate American football elements adds a localized touch to their media presence for the 2026 World Cup.
Outstanding Belgium 2026 World Cup Lineup Graphics - Footy Headlines
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The Puma Universitatea Craiova 2026-27 home shirt features a classic white and blue striped design, maintaining the traditional colors of the club. The Puma logo is placed on the right chest, with the club's crest positioned on the left. Notably, the club utilized artificial intelligence for the kit's presentation, visually bringing club legends Ilie Balaci and Ion Oblemenco back to the stadium.
This release marks another season in the ongoing partnership between Universitatea Craiova and Puma, following up on the brand's designs for the previous 2025-26 season.
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Slovak club MŠK Žilina's new 2026-27 home kit has been revealed, confirming their continued partnership with Nike. Teased earlier in July and fully unveiled by Slovak kit accounts on July 6, the new shirt introduces a bespoke design for the team, marking a notable shift from the modified catalog templates used in previous seasons.
The Nike MŠK Žilina 2026-27 home shirt features the club's traditional yellow base complemented by green accents. A standout detail is the green Nike Swoosh, which marks the first time the brand's logo has appeared in this color on a Žilina kit since 2013. Early feedback has praised the overall high quality and custom feel of the design, though some observers have noted that the secondary shade of yellow appears slightly too dark.
Nike Honors Ronaldo with "His Legend Lives On" Campaign
Having concluded his quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy with Portugal, this also marks the final time we will see Cristiano Ronaldo grace football’s biggest stage. Ronaldo himself confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would be the last of his illustrious career.
His runs on the World Cup stage may have come to an end, but his legacy will endure forever. To honor that legacy, Nike Football shared an image carrying the message "His Legend Lives On", paying tribute to CR7's everlasting impact on the game.
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French rising star Désiré Doué, has been frequently switching between the Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 and Superfly 11 boots over the past few weeks. Doué opted for the low-cut Nike Mercurial Vapor 17 for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final, but then surprised fans by starting the 2026 World Cup wearing the high-cut Superfly 11.
However, his stint with the Superfly 11 was short-lived, as Doué recently switched back to the Mercurial Vapor 17 for France's latest matches at the tournament. This indecision between the collared and non-collared versions of Nike's speed boot is notable for a player who is heavily featured in the brand's promotional campaigns. Doué has also been spotted wearing reissue Mercurial Vapor Superfly 1 boots recently, showcasing his affinity for the Mercurial heritage.
