What Has Happened to Nike Football?
Apr 4, 2024, by Chris
- Nike's Peak: Nike's football division was at its best in 2014 with the release of innovative knitted boots.
- Recent Issues: Nike's current football boots have quality issues, such as the logo detaching, and problems with the collar design, leading to players like Cristiano Ronaldo modifying them.
- Lost Deals: Despite the Germany kit deal, Nike has lost several significant football deals, suggesting a decline in their investment in men's football.
Ten years ago, for the 2014 World Cup, Nike possibly reached its prime in football - the brand released the first knitted football boots with socks, letting Adidas look like a trash brand (Adidas released a horrendous full-sock boot, the Adidas Primeknit FS). Now, in 2024, Nike's performance in football raises questions.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Nike Mercurial Boots With Defect & Custom Cut-Off Collar
Cristiano Ronaldo finally switched to the green Nieke Mercurial football boots. However, he faced the same problem as other players of the Nike Mercurial Dream Speed 8 football boots. The Swoosh (so far only partly) comes off, possibly caused by players heating their boots ahead of games.
CR7's hot water trick could cause the brandings to come off
CR7 is well-known for his hot water trick to break in boots faster, which could cause the brandings to come off.
Cristiano Ronaldo also cut off the collar of his Nike Mercurial Superfly boots, which is greatly visible in the pictures.
Ten years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was also not happy with the collar of the Nike Mercurial Superfly boots. Back then, Nike provided CR7 with a customized version of the Superfly with a lower collar. Today, Cristiano Ronaldo has to cut off the collar himself.
Performance-wise, there are apparently no problems with the Nike Mercurial Dream Speed 8 cleats - CR7 scored two hattricks in the first two games wearing them.
Nike Has Also Messed Up With Its Collars
Nike's Germany deal is the big exception
Nike also lost several important deals, including the ball supplier deals with Serie A, La Liga, Premier League, Copa America, and Copa Libertadores. The big exception is the deal signed with Germany.
What do you think of Nike's recent development in football? Let us know in the comments below.
Manchester United 26-27 Third Kit Features Nameset Discrepancy
Manchester United and Adidas have released their new 26-27 third kit, featuring an ivory base with deep red accents and dark green trim inspired by the iconic doors of the Salford Lads and Girls Club.
Following the release, kit collector @TheShirtUnion noticed an interesting detail regarding the custom cup font on the back. In promotional photography featuring Lisandro Martínez, the player name is applied in a classic curved arch across the upper back. However, official product listings on the club's online shop depict player names in a straight horizontal arrangement.
Such variations between promotional photoshoot samples and official store graphics are not unusual for bespoke club cup namesets. While the standard online printing option appears to default to the straight layout, supporters may see the curved style applied during cup fixtures or through select retail printing services.
Al Nassr 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - Official Images
Official images of the Al Nassr 26-27 third kit have leaked online, revealing an elegant design crafted by Adidas. The new shirt features a clean off-white base paired with rich gold detailing throughout, giving the Saudi Pro League club a sophisticated look for the upcoming season. Big thanks to @KamilBerberler.
The design is defined by subtle vertical stripes featuring intricate ornamental patterns running down the front and back of the shirt. Metallic gold trim highlights the collar, sleeve cuffs, and the iconic Adidas Three Stripes on the shoulders. The chest displays a monochromatic golden Al Nassr emblem alongside the gold Adidas logo, complemented by matching sponsor branding.
Completing the detailed look, a golden Saudi emblem featuring the palm tree and crossed swords sits on the upper back below the collar. Off-white shorts and socks with matching gold accents complete the full 26-27 third strip.
Atromitos FC 26-27 Home Kit Released
Greek Super League side Atromitos FC and kit manufacturer Capelli Sport have officially revealed the club's new home kit for the 26-27 season.
The Atromitos FC 26-27 home jersey offers a fresh take on the team's traditional white and blue colors. Featuring a white base, the front of the shirt is covered in slanted, diagonal blue graphic lines that form broken vertical stripes. Capelli's signature four-square logo motif appears on the shoulders in blue, alongside the club crest on the left chest and Novibet sponsorship across the middle.
The back of the jersey remains mostly solid white, accented by blue player numbering with a distinct lined font structure and lower-back sponsor branding.
SC Farense 26-27 Away Kit Released
Portuguese club SC Farense and kit supplier Lacatoni have officially launched the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season. Following the earlier reveal of their diagonal black-and-white home shirt, the new away uniform introduces a distinct green design rooted in the team's identity.
The Lacatoni SC Farense 26-27 away jersey features a rich dark green base accented with subtle white pinstripes running vertically down the front. Crisp black and white striping finishes the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the SC Farense crest is positioned on the left chest alongside Lacatoni's logo on the right.
Adding a tailored detail to the back, the shirt includes a large tonal lion graphic embedded into the fabric in reference to the club's Leões de Faro nickname. Main sponsor Barão Rodrigues is printed on the front, accompanied by secondary sponsor logos on the chest, sleeves, and back panel.
FC Dordrecht 26-27 Away Kit Released
Dutch Eerste Divisie club FC Dordrecht and kit supplier Capelli Sport have officially launched the new away kit for the 26-27 season.
The Capelli FC Dordrecht 26-27 away shirt is predominantly white with bold red accents, featuring a red crew-neck collar, red side panels, and Capelli's signature shoulder cubes. The sleeve cuffs incorporate thin black and red striping. A key design element of the jersey is the subtle, light-grey calligraphic script graphic printed across the front, drawing inspiration from local history and featuring historical terms such as Vryheyt.
The shirt is completed with the red Capelli logo on the right chest, the city coat of arms in the center, and the FC Dordrecht crest on the left chest. Main sponsor Keuken Warenhuis appears across the middle in black and red.
Novara FC 26-27 Home Kit Released
Italian club Novara FC and technical sponsor Erreà have officially launched the team's home kit for the 26-27 season.
The Novara FC 26-27 home shirt comes in traditional azure blue, paired with a clean white crew-neck collar and white sleeve cuffs. The front features the classic red shield badge with a white cross on the left chest, white Erreà logos, and the Gorgonzola IGOR sponsor logo centered across the chest.
Customized local touches complete the shirt. The inner neck displays the phrase "Forza Vecchio Cuore Azzurro" alongside graphic outlines of the city shield and the dome of the Basilica of San Gaudenzio, while "Novara FC" is written in white cursive script on the upper back.
Cristiano Ronaldo Trains in Superfly 11 'Break Em' Boots
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to club training with Al-Nassr ahead of the 26-27 season, spotted wearing Nike's latest Mercurial Superfly 11 boots in the fresh 'Break Em' colorway. The Portuguese star was seen putting the new speed boots through their paces following his post-tournament break.
The 'Break Em' edition of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 features a clean white upper accented with striking red outlines around a dark metallic Swoosh, paired with subtle orange details. The design continues Nike's main rollout for the next-generation Mercurial line, following blackout prototype testing and limited-edition releases earlier in the year.
With Ronaldo back on the training pitch in the latest colorway, Nike is officially kicking off its main seasonal push for the Mercurial Superfly 11 as the 26-27 campaign gets underway.
AS Ostiamare 26-27 Home Kit Released
Italian sportswear brand Macron and AS Ostiamare have officially unveiled the club's new home kit for the 26-27 season. Co-designed with input from club owner and former Italian international Daniele De Rossi, the jersey is built around the concept of "Radici e Ali" (Roots and Wings), blending local identity with modern technical detail.
The shirt features Ostiamare's traditional deep purple base, accented by tonal vertical stripes containing repeated text branding alongside a detailed root graphic near the lower hem. A black polo collar and matching sleeve cuffs with white pinstriping provide classic contrast, completed by the iconic circular seagull crest on the chest.
Luton Town 26-27 Third Kit Released
Luton Town and sustainable sportswear brand Reflo have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. The release features young forward Emilio Lawrence showcasing the fresh look ahead of the new campaign.
The Luton Town 26-27 third shirt introduces a deep purple base covered in a geometric pattern across the front and back. White details are featured on the polo collar, sponsor logos, and player print, while vibrant orange piping on the sleeve cuffs and collar edges adds a distinct touch of color.
Built using Reflo's eco-friendly materials, the kit highlights the ongoing focus on sustainability in the club's apparel partnership. The new third strip is set to be worn throughout the 26-27 season.