First-Ever Flykit Vapor? Neymar Trains in Blackout Nike Mercurial Boots
Update: On Tuesday morning, Neymar gave the new blackout boots, most likely the next-gen Nike Mercurial Vapor XII, another runout on the pitch.
The new pictures of the clearest look at the cleats yet, including a first of the sole plate and stud layout, an area that's very similar to the current-gen Mercurial.
It was all smiles in the FC Barcelona training the morning after a crucial Clásico win at the Bernabeu. Neymar had extra reason to be happy as he was selected to try out a never-seen-before football boot for the first time.
Did Neymar Show Off the Next-Gen Nike Mercurial 2018 World Cup Boots?
Below you can see one of the images that were posted from the training.
Entirely blacked-out to mask features and shape, the shoes worn by Neymar are made by Nike and have a distinct Mercurial look to them. Most likely, they are the Vapor variant of the next generation of the Nike speed boot that will be released in time for 2018 World Cup.
In terms of shape and possible characteristics of the boots, what catches the eye initially is the mid-cut collar that is unlike anything Nike used on a Vapor before and shows a clear similarity to the Adidas X 16 model. It appears to made of knit, with the rest of the upper looking identical to the NikeSkin used on the Mercurial Vapor XI.
Compared to the current model, the boots worn by Neymar don't feature the characteristic speed-ribs along the upper, but it can nonetheless be made out that the upper has a 3-D structure to it, again not unlike the Adidas X.
From what we can see, the sole plate looks like the thing that's most similar to the current Nike Mercurial.
What do you think? Which boots did Neymar wear and what are your thoughts on the mid-cut collar? Drop us a line below.
Campobasso 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Revealed
Italian Serie C side Campobasso FC have officially unveiled their new Nike home, away, and third kits for the 2026-27 season.
They introduce designs based on teamwear but nicely customised by the team.
The home retains the classic stripes, the away comes with a navy vertical stripe, while the third is black and gold.
Good or Bad? Rexona Armpit Sponsorship on 2026 World Cup Referee Shirts
Update - Tuesday, June 23, 2026: Following our publication, Rexona contacted us to provide additional context on the activation.
According to Ben Curtis, Global Brand Vice President for Rexona at Unilever, the sponsorship is intended to highlight fourth officials, who "may not always be the focus of attention but are at the centre of some of football's most intense and anticipated moments," as part of Rexona's "It Won't Let You Down" campaign during the FIFA World Cup 2026. "They need to remain cool and calm under pressure - That's exactly why this partnership is such a natural fit for Rexona."
The 2026 World Cup referee shirts feature one of the most amusing and strategic sponsorship placements seen in football. Deodorant brand Rexona has their logo positioned directly under the armpits of the match officials' jerseys, creating a highly contextual advertising opportunity.
The Rexona logo remains largely hidden during regular play but becomes clearly visible whenever a referee raises their arms to signal a free kick, award a penalty, or issue a card. This placement perfectly matches the deodorant product being advertised, resulting in a memorable piece of marketing on the sport's biggest stage.
While this specific placement has caught the attention of fans during the 2026 tournament, it is not entirely unprecedented. A similar concept was previously executed in Brazil, where Avanço deodorant sponsored the armpits of Corinthians. However, Rexona's execution at a World Cup brings the clever concept to a massive global audience.
Adidas Al Qadsiah 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released - No More Nike
Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah has officially unveiled its new 2026-27 home and away kits, marking the beginning of their new partnership with adidas after switching from previous supplier Nike.
Revealed on June 23, 2026, the inaugural adidas strips feature simple, standard designs without bespoke detailing. The home kit is presented in the club's traditional red and yellow colors, while the away shirt offers a stylish white and red look.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Training Top Leaked
Images of the FC Barcelona 2026-27 training top have been leaked online by Barca kit collector @memorabilia1899.
Hamburg 26-27 Anthem Jacket Released
The new Hamburger SV 2026-27 anthem jacket has been launched.
Produced by Adidas, the jacket features a clean design based on the Adidas 2026 jacket template. It is predominantly white with contrasting black Three Stripes running down the sleeves and a black Adidas performance logo on the right chest.
