Hazard Trains in Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 Elite 2018 World Cup Prototype Boots

Chelsea's Eden Hazard returned to training for the first time since injuring his ankle on international duty today wearing a pair of upcoming Nike 2018 World Cup soccer cleats.

Even though the pictures of Hazard's new blackout boots are very fuzzy and out of focus, it is nevertheless possible to say that he trained in the next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor XII football boots as his cleats are the same as those Neymar wore some months ago.

Eden Hazard Trains in Blackout Mercurial Vapor XII Elite Football Boots

Close-up with Eden Hazard's boots.

The pictures of Eden Hazard's blackout boots reveal not very much new about the Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 boots, which were already spotted on Neymar's feet four months ago. The next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor 2018 World Cup boot is very likely Nike's first-ever knitted Mercurial Vapor and the first Vapor with a mid-cut collar.

Neymar trained in the same boots as Hazard in April 2017

While the exact tech specifications are not known yet, it is already certain that the Nike Mercurial Vapor will receive an updated name in 2018. While the current high-end low-cut Mercurial is called Mercurial Vapor XI, the next-generation Nike Mercurial Vapor will be called Mercurial Vapor XII Elite (Check out Nike's full 2018 World Cup boot line-up).

What's your first verdict on the next-gen Nike Mercurial Vapor football boot? Do you look forward to find out more about Nike's next-generation Mercurial soccer boots? Let us know in the comments below.