What's Up with the Upper of the Adidas Ace 17+ PureControl?
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.
Shock Drop: Nike Cryoshot Mercurial R9 & Tiempo R10 Boots
Nike has surprised fans with a shock drop of two special-edition football boots on the SNKRS app, as spotted by House of Heat.
Released unexpectedly on June 24, 2026, the new Nike Cryoshot collection brings back legendary aesthetics inspired by Brazilian icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
The release features two iconic models reimagined under the Cryoshot banner. The Nike Cryoshot Mercurial Vapor R9 OG arrives in an Old Royal and Metallic Silver colorway, paying homage to the original Mercurial worn by Ronaldo at the 1998 World Cup. Alongside it is the Nike Cryoshot Tiempo Legend R10 OG, which sports a White and Metallic Gold combination, celebrating Ronaldinho's famous Touch of Gold boots.
Both pairs were made available in highly limited quantities via direct links on the Nike SNKRS platform. They sold out almost immediately.
New Image of Al Hilal 26-27 Home Kit Leaked
A new image of the Al Hilal 2026-27 home kit has been leaked online, providing another look at the upcoming Puma design. Originally shared by @hilalstuff and @a_z055, the picture confirms the traditional blue base combined with a subtle all-over graphic pattern.
The Puma Al Hilal 2026-27 home shirt is expected to be officially launched in the coming weeks.
Atlético Goianiense 2026 Romaria do Divino Pai Eterno Kit Released
Atlético Goianiense has launched a special commemorative jersey honoring the Romaria do Divino Pai Eterno, a major Brazilian religious pilgrimage to the Basilica in Trindade, Goiás.
Officially authorized by the Basílica do Divino Pai Eterno, the shirt features design elements that represent the pilgrimage and the faith of the club's supporters while retaining the traditional Atlético identity. A portion of the proceeds from the shirt sales will be donated to the Basilica to support its mission and works, and each purchase uniquely includes a bottle of blessed holy water.
Unique 2026 World Cup Pennants
The football culture platform @vsrsus has shared a collection of pennants featuring unique and highly artistic designs from several national teams participating in the 2026 World Cup.
The designs feature intricate graphics, bespoke typography, and vibrant color palettes tailored to different nations competing in the tournament. Each pennant is reimagined not just as a ceremonial token, but as a standalone piece of football art that captures the distinct identity and heritage of the respective countries.
The peasants celebrate the intersection of graphic design and the global game during the 2026 World Cup.
Nike Air Max Joga Bonito 'R9' Sneakers Revealed
Nike is set to release a special homage to Brazilian legend Ronaldo with the upcoming launch of the Nike Air Max Joga Bonito 'R9' sneakers. Bringing together elements from two iconic silhouettes, the new lifestyle shoe offers a unique fusion of football heritage and streetwear style.
The Nike Air Max Joga Bonito 'R9' features the classic upper of the legendary Mercurial R9 football boot, seamlessly paired with the recognizable Big Bubble soles of the Air Max 95.
The Nike Air Max Joga Bonito 'R9' sneakers, officially listed under style code IX8646-001, are scheduled to be released on July 2, 2026. They will be available for a retail price of $180.
Puma EFL 26-27 Ball Released
The new Puma EFL 2026-27 match ball has been officially revealed, introducing the Puma Stellar Nitro model for the upcoming season. It will be used across the English Football League, encompassing the Championship, League One, and League Two.
The Puma EFL 2026-27 Stellar match ball features an updated panel shape, moving away from the previous Orbita edition.
Cambridge United 26-27 Away Kit Released
The new Cambridge United 2026-27 away kit has been revealed. Made by Umbro, the Cambridge United 2026-27 away jersey introduces a fresh sky-blue look for the League One side, offering a clean aesthetic for their travels next season.
The launch of the new away strip follows the release of the club's 'United in Endeavour' home kit earlier in the month, completing a contrasting set for the upcoming campaign.
Baník Ostrava 26-27 Home Kit Released
The Baník Ostrava 2026-27 home kit has been officially released today. Made by Macron, the new Baník Ostrava home shirt features a clean, predominantly white design that uniquely incorporates special Braille text elements into the fabric.
In a meaningful initiative by the Czech First League club, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the new home jersey will be donated to support children with visual impairments.