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.
India 26-27 Home, Away & Third Kits Released
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and technical sponsor Nivia Sports have officially launched the new India 26-27 home, away, and third kits. The new collection will be worn in the high-profile series of international friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay.
The India 26-27 home shirt features a vibrant light blue base combined with bright orange accents on the side panels, V-neck collar, and sleeve cuffs. Subtly woven into the fabric is a peacock feather jacquard pattern, complemented by patterned ethnic-inspired taping running down the shoulders and golden piping framing the front. In line with the rest of the collection, the AIFF crest is centrally aligned on the chest, with the Nivia logo situated just below.
Completing the range, the away jersey arrives in dark blue with clean white contrast piping along the collar, cuffs, and shoulder inserts for a classic aesthetic. The third kit switches to an energetic saffron orange look accented by rich blue side panels and sleeve trim, mirroring the shoulder pattern details from the primary strip.
Adidas Argentina Messi Farewell Player & Keeper Kit Leaked - Official Pictures
We can leak official images of the Adidas Argentina commemorative collection celebrating Lionel Messi ahead of his final international appearance for the Albiceleste. The centerpiece of the capsule is the bespoke home shirt, rounded out by a dark green goalkeeper edition and a radiant light blue pre-match shirt, crafted as a fitting tribute ahead of Messi's emotional farewell against Benin on October 6, 2026.
Inter Miami 2026-2027 Home Kit Leaked - Return of Long-Sleeve Kits in MLS
We can leak images of the Adidas Inter Miami 2026-2027 home kit in the authentic long-sleeve version. It is remarkable because Adidas has not made long-sleeve MLS kits available for almost a decade. While the images show a counterfeit, they match the information about a massive return of Adidas long-sleeve kits. More to follow very soon.
Jordan PSG 26-27 Fourth Kit Leaked - Launch Mockups
Following the leak of the Jordan Paris Saint-Germain 26-27 fourth shirt, our partner What The Kit has created a stylish series of launch mockups depicting how the kit will look on the club's star players. Set to debut in early 2027 as part of Jordan's upcoming "Wings 2.0" collection themed "Greatness from Greater Paris", the design revives the iconic wing motif first introduced during the 24-25 campaign. The new iteration switches to a predominantly white and light grey base adorned with subtle urban graffiti graphics, framed by contrasting black Jordan wings that cascade down the shoulders and sleeves, particularly standing out in the long-sleeve version.
Udinese 26-27 Third Kit Released - 130th Anniversary Design by Giuseppe Buccinnà
Udinese Calcio and technical partner Macron have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Unveiled during Milan Fashion Week in partnership with the Camera Moda Fashion Trust, the bespoke shirt was created in collaboration with Italian fashion designer Giuseppe Buccinnà and serves as the centerpiece of a capsule collection celebrating the Friulian club's 130th anniversary.
The Macron Udinese 26-27 third shirt is built around an off-white cream base complemented by bold black curved side panels and piping that evoke mid-2000s kit silhouettes. Tone-on-tone geometric star textures are woven into the fabric structure, while subtle gold accents trim the sleeve edges. Most distinctively, Udinese's standard crest is replaced on the left chest with a commemorative star emblem dedicated to the club's founding in 1896.
Finishing details include Buccinnà's signature placed right above the embroidered Macron Hero on the chest, along with black back-neck detailing that displays "Designed in Bologna" and the iconic Friulian rallying cry "FUARCE UDIN" in gold lettering. The new third uniform is available immediately through official Udinese and Macron stores.
Jürgen Klopp Wears Unreleased Adidas Predator Touch Remake Boots in First Germany Training
Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp was spotted during national team training lacing up the unreleased 2026 remake of the legendary 1996 Adidas Predator Touch football boots. Providing an early on-pitch showcase ahead of the boot's official drop in October/November 2026, Klopp wore the iconic classic black, white, and red design, highlighted by its distinct fold-over tongue with retro white Adidas branding, signature side stripes, and a modernised soleplate. Thanks to Boots Club for the images.
