2018 Ballon d'Or Boots Coming Tomorrow - Adidas Messi vs Nike Ronaldo Ballon d'Or Boots History | 2011 - 2018
Dec 2, 2018, by Pat
- Ballon d'Or Dominance: Since 2007, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won the Ballon d'Or or FIFA Player of the Year awards.
- Commemorative Boots: Following Ballon d'Or wins, both Adidas (for Messi) and Nike (for Ronaldo) have released special edition boots, although Messi's were not publicly sold until 2016.
- 2018 Award Uncertainty: Nike's 2018 Ballon d'Or boot has been leaked, but the winner is uncertain with Modric, Mbappe, and Ronaldo being the most likely contenders for the award.
Since AC Milan's Kaká won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year trophies in 2007, no player other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been able to lift either of the two main individual trophies that exist in football.
Over the last few years, it's not just been familiar faces appearing at the center of ever-expanding award ceremonies, the procedure has also become routine. Recently, each win was quickly followed by the launch of a special boot to commemorate the not so special occasion, in the case of Ronaldo's most recent triumph it took less than 24 hours from the award announcement in London to the 'Melhor' limited-edition boots dropping and selling out the next morning. But perhaps all of this is just testament to the greatness of these two extraordinary talents.
Today, we want to take a look at all recent Ballon d'Or boots that were released Adidas and Nike for Messi and Ronaldo, respectively. It's a trend that started when Messi won a third consecutive Ballon d'Or in early 2012, although the boots back then were not released to he public.
2010 - Lionel Messi - Adidas F50 Adizero
Messi received a custom gold and black Adidas F50 Adizero for his second Ballon d'Or title. The boot was not sold.
2011 - Lionel Messi - Adidas F50 Adizero
Celebrating Messi's third Ballon d'Or title and based on the likely best Adidas Adizero model in history, the golden, white and black Adidas Messi 2012 Ballon d'Or soccer cleats take our silver. These boots (and all following Messi Ballon d'Or boots) were not released to the public, a key difference from Nike's CR7 editions.
2012 - Lionel Messi - Adidas F50 Adizero
The next boot followed just a year later, introducing a truly unique and unconventional design that saw a black upper combined with gold details, most importantly four sun graphics, one for each golden ball.
2013 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Vapor IX CR7
It took Nike until March 2014 to release the first-ever Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d'Or boots, a classy white and gold edition that proved extremely popular as one of the first limited-edition football releases from the brand.
2014 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7 Rare Gold
A year on, the first Ballon d'Or Boot to be based on the Nike Mercurial Superfly IV, introduced for the 2014 World Cup, was released. Fading from gold to black, it was another very successful limited-edition launch for the Swoosh.
2015 - Lionel Messi - Adidas Messi 15 Platinum
Messi won his most recent Ballon d'Or in early 2016 on the back of a treble-winning 2014-15 campaign. This time, Adidas went for an understated white and platinum effort, once again refraining from a public release.
2016 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly V CR7 Vitórias
In 2016, Nike went white for the first time, combining a subtly fading upper with gold-metallic and iridescent detailing.
2017 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly V CR7 Melhor * The Best Award
For the 2017 'The Best' award, Nike played it safe with a subtle update of Cristiano Ronaldo's most recent signature colorway. However, with the Ballon d'Or on the horizon, we expect another, hopefully more interesting boot to follow shortly.
2017 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly V CR7 'Quinto Triunfo'
To commemorate CR7 winning his fifth Ballon d'Or title Nike released a spectacular gold and white boots for the Portuguese, named the Nike Mercurial Superfly V CR7 SE 'Quinto Triunfo'.
2018 - Luka Modric - Nike Mercurial Luka Modric * The Best Award
Luka Modric received a spectacular Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 boot for his FIFA The Best award. The boot has not been worn by him, however.
2018 - Mbappe, Modric or Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Mercurial Superfly 360
Nike's 2018 Ballon d'Or boot has been already leaked - it is now known yet who will win the award, however, with Modric, Mbappe and Ronaldo the most likely winners. It is also possible that Puma's Griezmann will win the trophy.
Bonus - 2016 - Lionel Messi - Adidas Messi 16+ Pureagility
Despite never being released, pictures of what would have been Messi's 2016 Ballon d'Or boots surfaced in March this year, showcasing a truly special design based on the Messi 16+ Pureagility model.
Which of the so far released Adidas and Nike Ballon d'Or boots is your favorite? Drop us a line below.
Eldor Shomurodov Wears Custom Adidas F50 Uzbekistan Flag Boots
During Uzbekistan's 2026 World Cup opener against Colombia, captain Eldor Shomurodov caught the eye with a pair of beautifully customized football boots. The striker took to the pitch in a personalized edition of the Adidas F50 that proudly displayed the colors of the Uzbekistan national flag. Thanks to @abcdefutbol for the spot.
Shomurodov opted for a clean white base for his Adidas F50 boots, featuring a clever lateral customization. The iconic Adidas three stripes were specifically recolored to represent the national flag, incorporating the distinct blue, white, and green bands separated by thin red borders. This subtle modification seamlessly integrated his national identity directly into the brand's recognized logo, resulting in a clean and highly professional look for the tournament.
Custom Adidas F50 2026 World Cup Referee Boots Spotted
Assistant referee Kyle Atkins has been spotted wearing a heavily customized pair of Adidas F50 boots during the 2026 World Cup. Originally part of the Adidas 2025 'Road to Glory' pack, the boots were modified to suit the traditional blackout aesthetic typically expected of match officials.
The standard Road to Glory Adidas F50 boots feature a predominantly white upper, but Atkins' custom pair has been blacked out for a stealthy look on the pitch. The boots also feature a personalized detail on the side reading 'tierno WC26', highlighting their specific creation for the 2026 tournament. Thanks to @abcdefutbol for the spot.
SD Aucas 2026 Anniversary Kit Released
Ecuadorian Serie A side SD Aucas has officially launched its new 2026 anniversary kit. Made by Lotto, the special edition jersey is designed to celebrate the history and heritage of the club during the current campaign.
The new Lotto SD Aucas 2026 anniversary shirt introduces a bespoke look that stands apart from the team's standard matchday options. It serves as a commemorative addition to the regular 2026 home, away, and third kits that Lotto released for the club earlier in February.
FIFA Approves Special Legacy Patch for Muslera at 2026 World Cup
During Uruguay's 2026 World Cup match against Spain, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera took to the pitch wearing a special Legacy Patch on his jersey. This exclusive badge is reserved by FIFA for players who have participated in at least five World Cup tournaments. Muslera's appearance at the 2026 tournament marks his fifth inclusion in a World Cup squad, following his selections for South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.
The inclusion of the badge was initially in doubt, as Muslera did not play any minutes during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Sergio Rochet started in goal. However, the Uruguayan Football Association submitted a formal petition to FIFA to recognize his squad selection as a full participation. FIFA officially approved the request, allowing the veteran goalkeeper to sport the Legacy Patch.
https://www.footyheadlines.com/1581325232/uruguay-requests-fifa-legacy-patch-for-muslera-s-2026-world-cup-kit.html
East Kilbride FC 26-27 Home Kit Revealed
Scottish League One side East Kilbride FC have officially unveiled their new 2026-27 home kit. Made by Adidas, the release was teased under the slogan "Building our Fortress," as the club prepares for the upcoming campaign in the SPFL.
The launch of the new home shirt follows the extension of East Kilbride’s partnership with Adidas via BE Sport, which was announced earlier this year in April 2026. The deal ensures that the German sportswear giant will continue to supply the club's kits until at least 2030.
East Stirlingshire 26-27 Kits Released
Scottish Lowland Football League club East Stirlingshire FC has officially unveiled its new kits for the 2026-27 season. The new uniforms are made by Adidas in collaboration with teamwear specialist RJM Sports.
The East Stirlingshire 2026-27 kits feature standard Adidas teamwear templates, tailored to the club's traditional aesthetic. The release was highlighted across the club's social media channels, showcasing the new strips ahead of their upcoming Lowland League campaign.
Adidas Champions League 26-27 Takedown Ball Leaked
The league version of the Adidas Champions League 2026-2027 ball replaces the white base of the high-end OMB with lilac.
Michael Olise Wears Custom Mint Green Nike Hypervenom Boots to Match France Away Kit
Michael Olise has once again caught the attention of boot enthusiasts by wearing a pair of custom mint green Nike Hypervenom Phantom III boots during France vs Norway.
The striking mint green colorway was specifically chosen to perfectly match the accents of the France away kit.
This recent choice highlights Olise's distinct habit of meticulously coordinating his football boots with his team's kits. Operating without a boot sponsorship deal, the winger has the freedom to select his footwear based entirely on aesthetics rather than contractual obligations. He frequently sources old or custom pairs of his favorite Nike Hypervenom Phantom III boots, ensuring perfect color coordination with his club and country uniforms.
His dedication to this matching aesthetic has become a signature part of his on-pitch style. By prioritizing visual harmony between his boots and kits, Olise stands out in an era where most top-level players are tied to strict brand sponsorships and colorway mandates.
Custom Adidas Copa Mundial 2026 World Cup Referee Boots
During the 2026 World Cup group stage match between Czechia and Mexico, Chilean referee Cristian Garay caught the attention of boot enthusiasts with a nice pair of customized Adidas Copa Mundial boots. Thanks to abcdefutbol for the spot.
Serving as the fourth official for the game, Garay wore the iconic black and white cleats, but with several personalized details that set them apart from the standard retail version.
The modifications, carried out by customizer Emilio Street Shoes, bring a stylish update to the classic silo. The official 2026 FIFA World Cup logo is printed in gold on the heel area. The boots also feature golden thread detailing along the sides, complementing the traditional white Three Stripes and adding a premium touch to the historic design.
RKC Waalwijk 26-27 Home Kit Released
The new RKC Waalwijk home kit was officially released today. Made by Stanno, the new RKC Waalwijk 2026-27 home shirt will be worn in the upcoming Dutch second divison football season.
The Stanno RKC Waalwijk 2026-27 home jersey was launched under the campaign slogan Gedragen door de toekomst, which translates to Worn by the future. It boasts a striking design in yellow with blue brushstroke stripes.