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.
AS Roma to Wear Special 'Together for Nepal' Shirt Sponsor in Champions League Match
AS Roma will take the pitch with a special one-off shirt sponsor for their UEFA Champions League fixture against Fenerbahce in Istanbul. Instead of their regular primary partner Eurobet.live, the Giallorossi's home kit features the United Nations World Food Programme logo alongside the message "Together for Nepal" and the flag of Nepal across the chest.
The adjustment is required due to strict advertising regulations in Turkey that prohibit gambling and betting brands. Rather than taking to the field with a blank shirt, Roma collaborated with WFP to spotlight the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Nepal, where devastating floods and landslides have left approximately 43,000 people in need of urgent relief.
Following the match, the 26-27 match-worn jerseys will be auctioned off, with all proceeds directed to the World Food Programme's emergency operations. Supporters are also able to contribute directly through a dedicated challenge within the UN's ShareTheMeal app.
Manchester United Add Foundation Logo to 26-27 Champions League Kits
Manchester United have announced that the Manchester United Foundation logo will feature on the back of their shirts throughout the 26-27 UEFA Champions League campaign, marking the first time the charity's branding has appeared on the club's European kits. Positioned on the lower back beneath the squad numbers, the logo is used across the home, away, and third kits in European competition and is also available for fans to add to replica shirts at the Old Trafford Megastore, with net proceeds directly supporting the Foundation's youth and community programmes across Greater Manchester.
Arsenal Wear Rare All-Red Kit Against Napoli
Arsenal took the pitch in a rare all-red kit combination for their 26-27 UEFA Champions League opener against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Mikel Arteta's side paired their regular home shirt with alternative red shorts and red socks, creating a striking monochrome lower half below the shirt's traditional white sleeves.
The uniform change was enforced due to UEFA's strict regulations regarding kit clashes. With Napoli wearing their standard home ensemble featuring white shorts, Arsenal were unable to use their primary white home shorts. Rather than switching to an away or third kit, the club utilized their alternative red shorts designed specifically for such color-conflict scenarios.
This marked the first time the Arsenal senior men's team had worn the all-red look since a Premier League trip to Watford in March 2022. Interestingly, the Gunners also donned an all-red setup at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona during a Europa League quarter-final clash against Napoli back in 2019. The combination proved to be a good omen once again, as Arsenal claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half goal from Martin Ødegaard.
Hellas Verona 26-27 Third Kit Released
Hellas Verona and Joma have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Unveiled under the campaign slogan "Custodi della Storia" (Guardians of History), the jersey celebrates the historical monuments and cultural heritage of the city of Verona.
The Joma Hellas Verona 26-27 third shirt introduces an elegant white base highlighted by an embossed vertical band pattern on the front. This textured detailing reinterprets the ornate gothic ironwork and ornamental shapes of the Arche Scaligere, one of Verona's most famous historic sites. Refined gold accents complete the design, applied to the V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, Joma branding, and a monochrome edition of the club crest.
Several bespoke elements are worked into the collar construction, including the club's founding year "1903" on the front insert, the phrase "We Are Hellas" printed inside the neck, and the traditional motto "Dai Verona" on the upper back. Matching white shorts and socks with gold detailing round off the full 26-27 third strip.
Most Lucrative Premier League 26-27 Sleeve Sponsorship Deals: Manchester United Top List
Manchester United have claimed the top spot in the Premier League sleeve sponsorship rankings for the 26-27 season following their multi-year agreement with global fintech firm SumUp. Worth a record-breaking £22 million per season, the partnership surpasses United's previous £20 million annual contract with DXC Technology. The SumUp branding will appear across the playing kits of the men's, women's, and academy sides in all competitions. Big thanks to @Lu_Class_.
The new agreement pushes Manchester United ahead of neighbors Manchester City, whose sleeve deal with cryptocurrency exchange OKX brings in £20 million per year. Arsenal follow closely in third place after securing an £18 million-a-year contract with payroll and HR platform Deel. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both collect £15 million annually from their respective partnerships with Expedia and Kraken.
Further down the table, Newcastle United sit on £7.5 million per season with Noon, while Everton and Aston Villa generate £6 million annually from Stake and Betano. Chelsea remain the only notable high-profile side yet to announce a primary sleeve sponsor for the 26-27 campaign.
Buriram United 26-27 Third Kit Released
Thai powerhouse Buriram United have officially unveiled their in-house 26-27 third kit. Produced under the club's own label as is tradition for domestic competitions, the shirt utilizes a very dark navy base covered with subtle geometric cross motifs, complemented by light pink accents across the buttoned collar, monochrome crest, and sponsor graphics. The release has sparked debate among supporters and collectors, as Buriram's 26-27 home kit also relies on a dark navy template, differing primarily by pairing it with coral detailing rather than pink.
Clermont Foot 63 26-27 Third Kit Released
French Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot 63 and Italian brand Kappa have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Deeply rooted in regional pride, the new strip draws inspiration from the distinctive dark Volvic volcanic stone (pierre de Volvic) that defines much of Clermont-Ferrand's historic architecture.
The Kappa Clermont Foot 63 26-27 third jersey features a charcoal base covered in an elaborate line-art illustration across the front. The design incorporates several key regional landmarks and cultural symbols, including the Puy de Dôme volcano, the iconic twin spires of Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral, the Stade Gabriel-Montpied, a football marked with the department number 63, and the traditional Auvergnat gonfanon. Off-white trim on the collar and sleeve cuffs complements the monochrome cream club crest, Kappa Omini emblems, and CA Centre France chest sponsorship.
TSG Hoffenheim 26-27 European Kit Released
German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Italian kit maker Macron have officially unveiled the club's new Euro kit for the 26-27 season. Designed specifically for the Kraichgau side's upcoming UEFA Europa League campaign, the strip marks their first dedicated international jersey under their new multi-year partnership with Macron, who took over from Joma this summer.
The Macron Hoffenheim 26-27 Euro shirt comes in a dark navy blue base overlaid with an eye-catching graphic pattern. Inspired by the stag antlers found in the historic coat of arms of Hoffenheim, the motif is reinterpreted in purple and blended with irregular vertical brushstrokes in blue and purple. According to the brand, this aesthetic synthesizes the visual themes and color palettes seen across Hoffenheim's 26-27 home, away, and third shirts.
Contrasting white details are used on the collar, sleeve cuffs, and along the raglan sleeve seams.
Bayern München 26-27 Oktoberfest Kit Leaked - Full Look - 9 New Official Pictures
We can reveal the full Bayern Munich 2026-2027 Oktoberfest kit, including the shirt, shorts, and socks. The Three Stripes on the shorts use the pattern of the kit.
Manchester City Wear C.P. Company for European Travel
Manchester City have worn exclusive C.P. Company travelwear for their first UEFA Champions League away trip of the 2026-27 season, travelling to face Porto.
C.P. Company has been City's Official Fashionwear Partner since 2024, providing customised off-pitch clothing for European trips and high-profile arrivals. The new “Blue Moon Lens” collection blends C.P. Company's signature black with City's traditional light blue across pieces including the Coach Jacket, Puffer Jacket, polo shirts,...
The collaboration will soon extend from travelwear to the pitch, with Puma and C.P. Company set to release a special Manchester City 2026-27 fourth kit, bringing the Italian label's distinctive design identity to a City shirt.
What do you think of Manchester City's latest C.P. Company travelwear? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
All-New FIFA ASEAN Cup Logo Revealed
The logo for the first FIFA-organized Southeast Asian tournament has been revealed. The design incorporates a colorful, stylized globe depicting the Southeast Asian region.
Our partner, What The Kit, has created a prediction concept mockup of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup patch, featuring a prominent blue background.