Chris Smalling Explains Why He Does Not Like Wearing Leather Boots
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has been fully vegan since 2017. This means that he no longer eats red meat, chicken, fish or eggs. No Smalling explained that he admits he would even prefer not to use leather football boots or balls.
Manchester United's Chris Smalling Does Not Like Wearing K-Leather Nike Tiempo Boots
Chris Smalling told Men's Health according to The Mirror: “I have stopped buying leather. I still have to kick a leather ball but that is not my choice. One day there might be an alternative. Nike is working on a non-leather boot.”
However, these statements from the Man Utd defender are pretty strange, to say the least. First, Adidas', Nike's and most other Official Match Balls are not using leather materials since many years now. Second, there are many non-leather boots available from Nike. The Nike Tiempo Legend VII Smalling (made with kangaroo leather) is wearing is the only high-end leather boot silo from Nike.
In the same interview, Smalling said that the popularity of veganism was growing in Carrington, the training center of the Red Devils.
The next-generation Nike Tiempo Legend 8 soccer shoes will again feature a partly k-leather upper.
Do you think that Chris Smalling should switch to synthetic boots? Let us know in the comments below.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Home Kit Spotted on Sale Ahead of Official Launch
The FC Barcelona 26-27 home kit has been spotted on sale well before its official presentation. The new Nike jersey is currently available for purchase at JD Sports in Thailand, both in physical retail stores and online.
The early availability appears to be happening in multiple regions, with reports from fans mentioning sightings in stores across the United States.
Schlotterbeck Deliberately Wears His Football Socks the Wrong Way Round
Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has a very specific habit regarding his matchday attire. The centre-back deliberately wears his football socks the wrong way round - the back is on the front, and the front is on the back.
In 2025, the Borussia Dortmund & Germany center back once told SPORT1 that this was one of his unique habits.
