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.
Boca Juniors 26-27 Home Kit Spotted on Sale Early
The upcoming Adidas Boca Juniors 26-27 home kit has already landed on store shelves ahead of its official launch. Pictures taken inside an Adidas store in New York confirm that the authentic player version jersey is currently on sale for $160 USD. Thanks to @marto_m3.
The 26-27 home shirt stays true to the club's traditional look, featuring a classic blue base highlighted by the iconic yellow chest stripe. Bright yellow detailing covers the collar trim, Adidas logo, and three stripes along the shoulders. Sponsor logos include Betsson across the yellow chest band, Cetrogar on the sleeves, and DirecTV on the lower back, while XENEIZE is printed in yellow on the upper back neck.
KV Mechelen 26-27 Home Kit Released
Belgian Pro League club KV Mechelen have officially unveiled their new 2026-27 home kit. Made by Erreà, the shirt celebrates the club's historic 1946 league title.
The Erreà KV Mechelen 2026-27 home shirt features a wide central yellow panel framed by bold red side panels and sleeves. Yellow trim appears on the crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the club crest is positioned centrally on the chest alongside the Erreà logo and sponsor, creating a clean and balanced look. The kit is completed with black shorts and matching socks featuring yellow and red detailing.
What do you think of KV Mechelen's new 2026-27 home kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Galatasaray 26-27 Fourth Kit Leaked
Based on the leaked images, @Formaholic has recreated the new Galatasaray 26-27 fourth kit concept to show what it could look like on the pitch.
The Puma Galatasaray 26-27 fourth shirt features alternating red and orange vertical stripes across the front and sleeves, complemented by an elegant red polo collar. A white Puma cat logo sits on the right chest, while the club's iconic crest complete with its four stars rests on the left. The classic color setup and tailored collar create a refined look that bridges historical heritage with modern sportswear.
The new Galatasaray 26-27 fourth jersey is expected to be officially launched in February 2027. It will complement the club's home, away, and third kits for the season, offering a classic striped option during the second half of the campaign.
AS Roma 26-27 Away Kit Spotted On Sale Early
The unreleased Adidas AS Roma 26-27 away kit has been spotted available for purchase early inside a Sports Direct store. X user @nftotti shared a photo of the jersey on display well ahead of its scheduled official launch.
The kit features an 'Ecru' (off-white) base color, a red and yellow horizontal chest band, and an old Roma logo from 1945-1949, complemented by the Adidas Trefoil.
This early in-store sighting provides a complete look at the final retail version of the kit, featuring Adidas Climacool technology branding at the lower hem. AS Roma and Adidas are set to officially launch the 26-27 away kit on August 8.
Adidas Hide Clever River Plate Detail on Socks
Adidas have hidden a clever tribute to River Plate's iconic identity on the club's 2026-27 home socks. Rather than using a standard "RIVER" wordmark, the German brand has subtly reshaped one side of the "V" to recreate the club's famous red diagonal sash.
The detail references one of football's most recognizable shirt designs. According to club tradition, River Plate's iconic sash originated in 1905, when members of the club took a red ribbon from a carnival parade and placed it diagonally across a plain white shirt, creating a design that has remained synonymous with the Argentine giants ever since.
This detail does not appear on the black sock option.
Special thanks to @KamilBerberler for the information and to @jerseystory_vn for the graphic.
PSG Announce Multi-Year Google Partnership Featuring Gemini and Pixel
Paris Saint-Germain have officially announced a multi-year Premium Partnership with tech giant Google, running through 2029. Under the agreement, Google Gemini becomes the official AI assistant of the French club, while Google Pixel steps in as the official smartphone of Paris Saint-Germain.
The collaboration will see Google's hardware and software integrated across PSG's content production and digital operations. The club's internal media teams will use Google Pixel devices to capture behind-the-scenes content and matchday moments. Simultaneously, Google Gemini will be utilized to help develop new creative and interactive content for supporters.
As part of the deal starting ahead of the 26-27 season, a dedicated Google space will also be introduced at the Parc des Princes. The area will host guests, creators, and partners to experience the tech brand's latest artificial intelligence innovations first-hand.
