Exclusive: Nike Mercurial Neymar 2018 Signature Boots to Be Inspired by 1998 Mercurial
Jul 12, 2017, by Pat
Nike will bring the famous design of the original 1998 Mercurial football boot next year. Set to be an exclusive signature edition for Brazilian superstar Neymar, the cleats will be launched in January, following up on this summer's initial Neymar Nike Mercurial signature boot.
Nike Mercurial Vapor XI Neymar Jr - Racer Blue / Black / Chrome / Volt
This image shows the original 1998 Nike Mercurial (via Unisport).
Nike launched the first Mercurial football boot in the buildup to the 1998 World Cup. It came in a silver-yellow-blue colorway that's now almost synonymous with the Mercurial and Ronaldo who wore it in France that summer.
In 2013, Nike released a 1998-inspired Mercurial Vapor IX, before last summer saw the launch of four different iD colorways based on those the 1998 boot was released in.
20 years on, Nike will bring back a Mercurial Superfly V and Vapor XI dedicated to the original and featuring a design and colorway that's more than just inspired by it.
Predominantly chrome, the 2018 Neymar boots come it with black brandings and 'Racer Blue' and 'Volt' details. Although based on the current Mercurial, the 2018 Nike Neymar boots will have a different upper structure that's closely inspired by the 'waves' found along the sides of the 1998 model.
The inside of the 2018 Nike Mercurial Superfly V and Vapor XI Neymar signature boots derives from the distinct print found on the Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII, a model worn by Neymar when he broke through at Santos in 2010.
@soccercleats101
Set to be launched in January 2018, the Nike Mercurial Superfly V and Vapor XI Neymar Jr 2018 signature boots will be one of the last releases before the next generation of Nike's speed boot will inevitably drop.
Is Neymar "Il Fenômeno's" rightful heir? Are you happy to see Nike return to its roots with this one? Drop us a line below, and see the Boot Calendar for all leaks and releases in the boot world.
Nike to Sell Long-Sleeve Besiktas Kits From 27-28 Season
Nike is set to introduce commercially available long-sleeve kits for Beşiktaş starting from the 27-28 season. Following the club's major switch from Adidas after 17 years, supporters will finally have direct access to official long-sleeve match jerseys at retail. Big thanks to @ertansuzgun & @Formaholic.
The timing aligns with significant milestone celebrations in Istanbul, as Nike is also planning a special 125th-anniversary collection for Beşiktaş during the 27-28 campaign to mark the club's foundation in 1903. Rather than relying on base layers and compression undershirts, players and fans alike will see dedicated long-sleeve designs included in the lineup.
The development forms part of Nike's wider strategy to bring back commercial long-sleeve authentic shirts across its elite roster from 27-28 onwards. By expanding long-sleeve availability to Beşiktaş, Nike closes the gap on rivals like Adidas and provides the Black Eagles with full top-tier treatment under their new partnership.
Melbourne City 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
Puma and A-League club Melbourne City FC have officially unveiled their complete kit collection for the 26-27 campaign. Launched under the campaign tagline 'Made of City', the three-kit drop blends the club's signature identity with Melbourne street culture and club heritage.
The Melbourne City 26-27 home shirt stays true to tradition, centered around the iconic City Blue base. Drawing inspiration directly from the club badge, red and yellow trim accents decorate the collar and sleeve cuffs. Meanwhile, the away kit leans into nocturnal Melbourne fashion, pairing a deep plum jersey with an abstract zig-zag graphic and vibrant shimmer pink branding across all sponsor prints and the club crest.
Rounding out the lineup is the 26-27 third kit, which pays homage to the club's origins as Melbourne Heart. The shirt combines a crisp off-white base with red accents and incorporates a subtle heartbeat graphic emerging across the chest from behind the crest. A heart motif inside the collar completes the tribute. The new collection is available through Melbourne City's online store and Puma Australia.
AC Mestre 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian Serie D club AC Mestre has officially unveiled its new third kit for the 26-27 campaign, manufactured once again by Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno. The new drop follows the earlier presentations of the club's home and away shirts, completing their kit lineup for the new season.
The Mizuno AC Mestre 26-27 third shirt introduces a sleek and stealthy design, dominated by a black base accented by vibrant orange details. Bright orange trim lines the V-neck collar and broad sleeve cuffs, while both the Mizuno Runbird logo and the AC Mestre crest are rendered in matching monochrome orange. A subtle jacquard pattern is also incorporated across the front fabric, adding depth to the understated look.
Black shorts and socks with orange detailing complete the full AC Mestre 26-27 third uniform.
Video: FC Barcelona 27-28 Home Kit
Based on leaked images, Footy Headlines can bring you a 360º video of Barcelona’s 2027-28 home kit, created using Kit Creator.
Adidas to Launch Arsenal 26-27 Spezial Collection
Adidas is expanding its terrace-rooted Spezial F.C. label to the Emirates, with a newly surfaced teaser confirming an upcoming Arsenal SPZL F.C. collection. Thanks to @IamCrisJ.
The teaser reveals the collaborative Arsenal SPZL F.C. insignia, presenting the club's heritage cannon emblem and "AFC" cannonballs in red set above a red-bordered box housing the Trefoil and "adidas SPEZIAL F.C." branding in gold. Following the blueprint established by previous SPZL F.C. club projects, the range will lean heavily into retro football culture, archival tailoring, and casual terrace style.
The upcoming Arsenal SPZL F.C. range will include bespoke footwear and lifestyle apparel, slated for release through ArsenalDirect, adidas, and select Spezial retailers.
Adidas Colo-Colo EQT Collection Leaked
Adidas is expanding its 1990s-inspired EQT lifestyle range to South America, with official images of the upcoming Colo-Colo EQT collection leaking online. Following recent retro drops for European giants such as Bayern Munich and Juventus, the Chilean club is set to receive its own heritage capsule steeped in unmistakable nineties football culture. Big thanks to @KamilBerberler.
The centerpiece of the range is a retro shirt dominated by Colo-Colo's traditional white, accented by subtle tonal shadow stripes running vertically down the body. It features oversized three stripes sweeping over the shoulders in bold black and red, paired with a chunky ribbed V-neck collar. Staying true to the era, the classic Adidas wordmark and Trefoil are placed centrally on the chest just above the iconic club crest.
Complementing the jersey, the wider lifestyle capsule includes a color-blocked track jacket, matching track pants, a graphic t-shirt, and a relaxed crewneck sweatshirt. The entire collection maintains the club's sharp black, white, and red palette, combining vintage paneling with modern streetwear silhouettes. The Adidas Colo-Colo EQT collection is slated for release in the coming weeks.