Since the beginning of 2023, many of Nike's star players have officially left this sports brand, with some players rumored not to have had their contracts renewed by Nike. Let's sum up these players with Footy Headlines.
Lisandro Martinez left Nike and switched to Adidas X Speedportal shoes from the start of the 2022 World Cup. Then, in early 2023, Licha and Adidas officially announced a long-term partnership.
Although Jack Grealish was one of the first Nike players to wear the Phantom GX boots at the 2022 World Cup, by the end of that tournament, Jack was wearing blackout Phantom GX boots. The player then officially parted ways with Nike and joined Puma.
After the 2022 World Cup, Kovacic switched from his usual Nike Mercurial Vapor boots to Puma Ultra Ultimate boots. In March 3023, Puma officially announced a new contract with Kovacic.
Not as high profile as the names above, Akanji is another player who has switched from Nike to Puma Future Ultimate for 2023.
Dembele was spotted wearing Puma Ultra Ultimate shoes at the end of April 2023. But now, Dembele has been wearing Adidas X Crazyfast boots in official PSG matches. Although no official announcement has been made, it looks like Dembele will be signing with Adidas.
On 17 August, Skechers officially announced a long-term deal with star footballer Harry Kane, ending the partnership between Harry Kane and Nike.
Vlahovic recently wore the Adidas X Crazyfast with Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 during Juventus matches. This shows that he may be joining Adidas in the near future.
Mahrez was first spotted wearing Puma Ultra Ultimate shoes in late January 2023, and then also wore Puma Future Ultimate shoes during a Manchester City training session. To date, however, Mahrez still wears Nike Mercurial Superfly boots for official matches. It is unclear whether or not Mahrez will leave Nike to join Puma.
Although he is known to regularly use custom Nike Mercurial, Aubameyang recently wore the Adidas X Crazyfast during a training session with Olympique de Marseille, suggesting that he may ditch Nike in the near future.
Alisson Becker has covered the Nike logo on his gloves with tape. This shows that his contract with Nike has probably expired and he is looking for a new sports brand.
Fran Garcia painted his Nike Mercurial Superfly boots black during recent Real Madrid matches, which confirms Fran Garcia's contract with Nike has expired.
Theo Hernandez also wore the Adidas X Crazyfast boots during a recent AC Milan training session. It's possible that his contract with Nike is about to expire and that Nike have no intention of renewing it.
Enzo is the latest player to ditch Nike boots. He wore Puma Ultra Ultimate boots at Chelsea's recent training session and many believe he will sign a contract with Puma in the near future.
Not only in 2023, but also in recent years, the number of players leaving Nike for other sports brands has been very high.
Nike Has Lost More Than 40 Important Players In Past 6 Months - Updated
Do you think Nike should be worried about losing more players to other sports brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The players have officially left Nike
Players who have officially left Nike have joined Puma or Adidas.Lisandaro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez left Nike and switched to Adidas X Speedportal shoes from the start of the 2022 World Cup. Then, in early 2023, Licha and Adidas officially announced a long-term partnership.
Jack Grealish
Although Jack Grealish was one of the first Nike players to wear the Phantom GX boots at the 2022 World Cup, by the end of that tournament, Jack was wearing blackout Phantom GX boots. The player then officially parted ways with Nike and joined Puma.
Mateo Kovacic
After the 2022 World Cup, Kovacic switched from his usual Nike Mercurial Vapor boots to Puma Ultra Ultimate boots. In March 3023, Puma officially announced a new contract with Kovacic.
Manuel Akanji
Not as high profile as the names above, Akanji is another player who has switched from Nike to Puma Future Ultimate for 2023.
Ousmane Dembélé
Dembele was spotted wearing Puma Ultra Ultimate shoes at the end of April 2023. But now, Dembele has been wearing Adidas X Crazyfast boots in official PSG matches. Although no official announcement has been made, it looks like Dembele will be signing with Adidas.
Harry Kane
On 17 August, Skechers officially announced a long-term deal with star footballer Harry Kane, ending the partnership between Harry Kane and Nike.
The players rumored to be leaving Nike
These players are likely to be in the final stages of their Nike contracts, so have been found to have worn other sports shoes during training and then returned to wearing Nike shoes for official matches.Dušan Vlahović
Vlahovic recently wore the Adidas X Crazyfast with Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 during Juventus matches. This shows that he may be joining Adidas in the near future.
Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez was first spotted wearing Puma Ultra Ultimate shoes in late January 2023, and then also wore Puma Future Ultimate shoes during a Manchester City training session. To date, however, Mahrez still wears Nike Mercurial Superfly boots for official matches. It is unclear whether or not Mahrez will leave Nike to join Puma.
Aubameyang
Although he is known to regularly use custom Nike Mercurial, Aubameyang recently wore the Adidas X Crazyfast during a training session with Olympique de Marseille, suggesting that he may ditch Nike in the near future.
Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker has covered the Nike logo on his gloves with tape. This shows that his contract with Nike has probably expired and he is looking for a new sports brand.
Fran Garcia
Fran Garcia painted his Nike Mercurial Superfly boots black during recent Real Madrid matches, which confirms Fran Garcia's contract with Nike has expired.
Theo Hernandez
Theo Hernandez also wore the Adidas X Crazyfast boots during a recent AC Milan training session. It's possible that his contract with Nike is about to expire and that Nike have no intention of renewing it.
Enzo Fernández
Enzo is the latest player to ditch Nike boots. He wore Puma Ultra Ultimate boots at Chelsea's recent training session and many believe he will sign a contract with Puma in the near future.
Despite owning many excellent young stars such as Marcus Rashford, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, it won't be good if Nike continues to let its other stars leave.
Not only in 2023, but also in recent years, the number of players leaving Nike for other sports brands has been very high.
Nike Has Lost More Than 40 Important Players In Past 6 Months - Updated
Do you think Nike should be worried about losing more players to other sports brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
