Cristiano Ronaldo & El Mala Spotted Testing Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 Boots
Apr 28, 2026, by Chris
- Prototype Spotted: Cristiano Ronaldo and Said El Mala have been seen testing the next-generation Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 boots.
- Design Details: The next-gen Mercurial cleats feature a heavily ribbed texture (Nike Flyweave Ultra) and, for the first time in over a decade, lack a high collar.
- Release Timeline: Nike is in the final testing phase, with the new boots expected to be available in May/June 2026, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed as the main Nike ambassador.
Update - Apr 28, 2026: Following Cristiano Ronaldo's recent training session, the highly anticipated next-generation Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 prototype has been spotted on the feet of 1. FC Köln's Said El Mala, giving us another close-up look at the upcoming speed boot.
Apr 27, 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted wearing a pair of whiteout, unbranded football boots. And while some non-boot connoisseurs suggested this could be because of having no boot deal, we know that the Portuguese superstar was wearing a completely whiteout prototype of the highly anticipated next-generation Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 soccer cleats.
Cristiano Ronaldo Trains in Whiteout Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 Soccer Cleats
As it has been common for unreleased Nike prototypes for a few years, the boots are totally devoid of any brand logo. However, close-up images reveal that CR7 was wearing the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly 11 football boots. The next-gen Mercurial soccer cleats feature a highly pronounced, heavily ribbed texture - Nike Flyweave Ultra.
Importantly, the next-gen Nike Mercurial Superfly XI comes without a high collar, for the first time in more than a decade.
With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, Nike is entering the final player testing phase for its next flagship release, which will hit shelves in May/June 2026.
What are your thoughts on the next-gen Nike Mercurial? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Steven Bergwijn Wears Unreleased Nike Kobe Mercurial Boots
The Nike Mercurial Mamba soccer cleats are set to be launched on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Concept: What If World Cup Winners Wore Special Badges on Club Kits?
A creative concept visualized by Bleacher Report has sparked discussion among kit enthusiasts, posing an intriguing question: what if players who have won the FIFA World Cup were allowed to wear a special champion badge on their club kits? Under current FIFA equipment regulations, only reigning national team champions and Club World Cup winners are permitted to sport the official FIFA Champions Badge, but bringing an individual achievement patch to the club stage introduces a bold twist to modern shirt details.
The mockups feature World Cup winners wearing a sleek, gold trophy silhouette on their kit sleeves stamped with the year of their international triumph. The concept envisions players like Lionel Messi donning a 2022 patch on his Inter Miami shirt, Kylian Mbappé carrying a 2018 badge in Real Madrid white, and Rodri sporting a 2026 mark. It serves as an immediate visual marker of football's ultimate honor, staying with the player regardless of their club transfers.
In reality, domestic leagues and confederations enforce strict uniform guidelines that limit sleeve real estate almost entirely to league badges, sleeve sponsors, and charitable campaign logos. While regulatory hurdles make such a badge virtually impossible in professional football, the visualization offers a clean and compelling look at how personal legacy could be integrated into club kits.
Inter Milan 26-27 Third Kit Debuted
Inter Milan officially debuted their new Nike 26-27 third kit on the pitch during a dramatic 5-3 Serie A comeback victory against Udinese at the San Siro, just hours after its official unveiling.
Taking inspiration from the Nerazzurri's iconic look from the late 1990s, notably referencing the 1997-98 and 1998-99 shirts. the new third kit is built on a stone-grey 'Iron Ore' base featuring a subtle tonal jacquard pattern. The centerpiece of the design is a prominent black horizontal chest band accented by a thin 'Blue Spark' lower stripe. Bright 'Speed Yellow' details are applied to the Swoosh, the two-starred club crest, the Betsson.sport sponsor, and retro-styled 1990s font names and numbers.
