After SG Boots Caused Injury? Neymar Wears AG Mercurial Boots Against Croatia

Update: Neymar continued with the AG-Pro Nike Mercurial Vapor 12 boots in today's friendly against Croatia. Do you think he'll wear them at the World Cup as well? Let us know in the comments below the article.

Neymar made his long awaited return to full training yesterday wearing an interesting pair of football boots. Neymar has been missing from first-team action for three months after he sustained a foot injury in February.

In February 2018, the Brazilian broke his metatarsal during a Ligue 1 match against Europa League runners-up, Marseille. Back then, there were rumors that his injury was caused by the brand-new Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 SG (Soft Ground) football boots. Now Neymar returned to training wearing AG-Pro boots.

Neymar Trains in Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 AG Cleats

Here is a close-up picture of the boots worn by Neymar in training yesterday.

The Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 AG that Neymar used in his first full training after his injury seem to be the same as the standard edition of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 AG-Pro football boots by Nike. The Nike Mercurial Vapor VI 360 Elite AG-Pro football boots provide a 360 degree fit for speed on artificial ground surfaces.

Apart from the Artificial-ground (AG) studs for use on synthetic grass pitches, the Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 AG-Pro soccer cleats are the same as the FG edition. The Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 2018 boot features a 360-degree Flyknit construction that wraps the players' foot for a secure second-skin fit.

It is not known why Neymar used the AG-Pro version of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 360 football boots, even though it seems quite logical that he is wearing them to avoid a new injury (less pressure on his feet). In fact, Neymar said that said he is feeling "afraid" ahead of his return from injury and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

"I want to lose this fear as quickly as possible so I can make the World Cup," said the PSG star. "People have always been cheerful during my stay in Brazil and this has helped me on a daily basis, with the tension, but I can't stop a million things from happening in my head and yes, I'm afraid!"

Neymar conceded the injury has left him in a "difficult moment," and he said, "nobody is more anxious than me and nobody is more afraid than me."

Neymar is expected to play in Brazil's friendly against Croatia on June 3.

What do you think of this? Do you that Neymar will wear the boots in an official match? Drop us a line below.