Cristiano Ronaldo Now Happy With Next-Gen Nike Mercurial, Receives Personalized Version
Feb 3, 2021, by Simon
Update: Cristiano Ronaldo's boots have been personalized by Nike for the Portuguese superstar - he wore them in the Coppa Italia match against Inter, scoring a brace. They now feature the letters CR7, the name of his son and his signature celebration logo. Thanks to UnderStats for the observation.
Cristiano Ronaldo Receives Personalized Nike Mercurial Superfly 14 Dragonfly Boots
Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Next-Gen Nike Mercurial For Full 90 Minutes
Update: Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the next-generation Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Dragonfly boots for the Serie A match against Sampdoria. In contrast to last weekend, he wore the boots for the full 90 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 Boots For Full 90 Minutes
Problems With Next-Gen Mercurial: Cristiano Ronaldo Switches Boots At Halftime
This weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo was supposed to be the first male player to inaugurate Nike's next generation of immaculate Mercurials. However, Cristiano Ronaldo was not satisfied with the experience during the first half, and decided to change boots during halftime - a PR disaster for Nike.
Cristiano Ronaldo Returns To "Old" Nike Mercurial Superfly VII 'Dream Speed 003' Boots During Halftime
1st half vs 2nd half - Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 'Dragonfly' vs "Outdated" Nike Mercurial Superfly 7 'Dream Speed 003'
So, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped on the pitch at home against Bologna wearing Nike's recently released next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 'Dragonfly' boots, but as pictures of the game reveal Ronaldo changed his boots during halftime. The Juventus FC striker opted for the "old" Nike Mercurial 'Dream Speed 003' boots released on October 3rd, 2020, for the second half, a pair he is very familiar with. We believe he wore the exact same pair for a few months since the release of this colorway.
1st half vs 2nd half - Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 8 'Dragonfly' vs "Outdated" Nike Mercurial Superfly 7 'Dream Speed 003'
It's the same old story. Obviously, footballers are high-performance athletes who settle for nothing less but greatness, especially players of Ronaldo's caliber. However, Ronaldo is playing football during a time where marketing and sponsorship contracts are essential. As you probably know, Cristiano Ronaldo has a highly remunerated sponsorship contract with Nike (CR7 reportedly earns $16m USD / year for officially endorsing Nike products).
Of course, this enables Ronaldo to increase his earnings, but it also means obligations like regularly switching colorways or even boot models even though he might not be satisfied with the experience. This is also the reason for big brands to create detailed camouflaged boots for their most important athletes tailored to their needs and wants although they still look like the regular cleats you can buy in any store around the world to convey the feeling of wearing exactly the same boots as your idol. To cut a long story short, this is of course a big PR disaster for Nike and one can expect them to create a new pair tailored to Cristiano Ronaldo's needs right now in Montebelluna, Italy. Nike's famous football boot factory for their most important athletes is located in Montebelluna, Italy.
Cristiano Ronaldo Match Issued Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly 3 boots with signature - via @bcbootsuk
What do you think of this incident? Can you understand Ronaldo's decision? Drop us a line below.
Girondins Bordeaux 26-27 Home Kit Released
FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Hummel have officially unveiled the club's new home kit for the 26-27 campaign. Continuing the partnership that began last season, the Danish sportswear brand delivers a clean, heritage-focused look designed around the club's traditional identity.
The Bordeaux 26-27 home shirt is predominantly dark navy, centered around the iconic white scapular across the upper chest. A retro-styled white polo collar with a crossover V-neck and contrasting white sleeve cuffs complement the classic aesthetic. Adding depth to the navy base is a subtle tone-on-tone geometric pattern featuring a diamond grid interwoven with the three interlaced crescents from the city of Bordeaux's coat of arms.
Hummel completes the jersey with its signature white chevrons running along the shoulders, alongside the Hummel wordmark and the club's crest displayed on the chest. Navy shorts and socks complete the full 26-27 home kit.
Chelsea 26-27 Third Kit Spotted for Sale
Chelsea's new 26-27 third kit has been spotted on retail shelves and has now begun appearing across select Nike online stores, providing a full look at the retro-infused design ahead of its formal club launch. Following initial leaks over the past week, the shirt has already surfaced in both player-issue and replica versions in multiple locations. Big thanks to @batsflip.
In-store displays show the kit equipped with the USDC by Circle front-of-shirt sponsor and the gold FIFA Club World Champions crest positioned centrally between the Nike swoosh and the club badge. Clean, sponsorless editions have also appeared on official retail channels, complemented by matching white shorts and socks.
Stade de Reims 26-27 Third Kit Released - Celebrating 100 Years of Circuit de Gueux
Puma and Stade de Reims have officially unveiled the club's new third shirt for the 26-27 campaign. The design serves as a tribute to the historic Circuit de Gueux racing track located just outside the city, marking the 100th anniversary of its opening in 1926.
The Puma Stade de Reims 26-27 third jersey is predominantly black, accented by curved light grey brush-stroke graphics across the body that resemble skid marks on asphalt. A contrasting grey V-neck collar, matching cuffs, and grey side panels complete the frame, while the club crest, manufacturer branding, and sponsor prints appear in clean monochrome white.
A standout finishing touch can be found at the lower hem in the form of a special commemorative jock tag. The badge features the Circuit de Gueux layout, the French tricolor, a checkered flag motif, and the inscription "100 ANS 1926-2026". The new third kit is available through the club's official webshop.
Sunderland Announce Shuffle as Official Sleeve Partner
Sunderland AFC have announced a new multi-year agreement with Shuffle, naming the centralized crypto casino and sports betting platform as the club's Official Sleeve Partner. The Shuffle branding will make its on-pitch debut on the first-team kits starting this weekend.
The deal replaces LiveScore Bet, who served as Sunderland's sleeve sponsor during the 25-26 season. While Premier League regulations prohibit front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships starting in the 26-27 campaign, betting and casino brands remain permitted to feature on shirt sleeves.
Shuffle's logo will be displayed on the sleeve of Sunderland's kits throughout the multi-year partnership, providing global visibility for the platform as the Black Cats continue to overhaul their commercial lineup.
BG Pathum United 26-27 AFC Champions League Two Home Kit Released
Thai League club BG Pathum United has officially revealed its dedicated home kit for the 26-27 AFC Champions League Two campaign. Produced by Nike, the jersey adapts the club's domestic home look into a streamlined, competition-compliant design for continental action.
The 26-27 ACL2 home shirt utilizes the same royal blue base and template as the standard domestic kit, accented by dark navy ribbing on the collar and sleeve cuffs alongside white side panel details. To adhere to AFC equipment regulations, the domestic sponsors have been stripped away. In place of the usual LEO front sponsor, the continental version showcases a white Singha Corporation graphic paired with the player's squad number on the front, complemented by a monochrome white club crest and Nike Swoosh.
The Nike BG Pathum United 26-27 AFC Champions League Two home kit is now available through the club's official club store and online shop, priced at 999 THB with optional full flex printing.
Newcastle Jets 26-27 AFC Champions League Elite Home & Away Kits Released
A-League side Newcastle Jets have officially revealed their new 26-27 home and away kits for their upcoming AFC Champions League Elite campaign. Crafted by New Balance, the special collection takes direct inspiration from the kits worn during the club's very first Asian continental adventure back in 2009.
The Newcastle Jets 26-27 ACLE home jersey is predominantly gold, highlighted by a navy panel across the upper chest and shoulders separated by a thin red accent line. The retro-inspired template is completed with gold shorts and socks. Inverting the palette, the away jersey features a deep navy base topped with a contrasting gold chest block and matching red piping, paired with navy shorts and socks.
Both shirts feature the club crest, New Balance logos, and the Wadam Living sponsor across the midriff, as well as the official AFC Champions League Elite tournament sleeve patch on the right arm.
CR Belouizdad 26-27 Home Kit Released
Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side CR Belouizdad have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 season, produced by Puma. Designed as a celebration of the club's legacy and identity, the shirt brings a classic look back to the forefront for the capital side.
The Puma CR Belouizdad 26-27 home shirt is predominantly red, anchored by a bold white chevron across the chest. It incorporates a white V-neck collar, patterned white sleeve cuffs, and a subtle "1962" detail on the sleeve honoring the year of the club's founding. The CRB crest with its championship star is placed over the chest alongside white Puma branding and the logo of main sponsor Madar Holding.
Built with Puma's dryCELL performance fabric and RE:FIBRE recycled materials, the new jersey is completed by matching red shorts and red socks.