2 Never-Seen-Before Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Neymar Prototype Boots Revealed

Update: Football boot design maniac @gunt22 has created a 'photoshop' of the prototype Nike Mercurial NJR "Speed Freak" boots. His image gives us a better look at them.

The Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Neymar 'Speed Freak' football boot has been already released more than to weeks ago. However, we today came across a video showing an interview with Nike Product lead Alex, who gives us some details about the design - the video also showcases two never-seen-before design prototypes.

Nike Football | Behind the Design: Neymar Jr. Mercurial Vapor ‘Speed Freak’

"The Neymar Jr. Mercurial Vapor 'Speed Freak' began with his passion for speed, whether it's on a pitch or at a grand prix. "He's almost like a racing car in terms of acceleration and cornering—how fast he can change direction and burn players", says Product Lead, Alex. "Off the pitch, he goes to motor races, has friendships with drivers and has a real love of motorsport that led to this boot".

Two flags informed the design—chequered and Brazilian. They come together on the back of the boot in a black and white diamond. "When you think of Neymar Jr., you think of Brazil and the iconic number 10 shirt, so we wanted to be sure to get an element of that in there", says Alex. Bright red and burnished silver add race-day flash, while pops of green, yellow and blue on the lace tips give another shout-out to the Seleção.

To replicate the look of competition racing cars, designers created a set of icons that cover the heel in Neymar Jr.'s story. The outside of the heel digs into past boots and tattoos, like the "IV" that represents his family and the "Shhh…" on his index finger that he uses to silence stadiums of away fans. The inside of the heel features Mercurial graphics and a phrase that sums it all up: "Engineered to the exact specifications of Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior"."

Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Neymar 'Speed Freak' Prototype Boots

The alternative colorway of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Neymar 'Speed Freak' soccer cleats pretty much inverts the colors of the final version - the cleat has a mainly red upper, a white / black chequered Swoosh and a silver lower part.

The second prototype boots that can be seen in the video seem to be completely silver. Unfortunately, they are hidden by the first prototype...

What do you think of the alternative red colorway? Do you like the final design of the Nike Mercurial Vapor 13 Neymar 'Speed Freak' boots? Would you like Nike to show off prototypes more often, and also reveal better pictures of them? Let us know in the comments below.