SAO PAOLO, June 2 — Seven world-class athletes pose with the football boots they’ll wear during the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Nike Mercurial Superfly
Nike chose the 2013 Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo to wear one of its most innovative new football boot designs, the Mercurial Superfly, at the World Cup. Created to optimise propulsion, these cleats are bound to give the player an advantage in terms of speed. Fans can tune in on June 16 to find out when Portugal plays Germany for its first match in the tournament.
Thiago Silva: Nike Magista Obra FG
Also during the World Cup, Nike will launch the latest iteration of its Magista, a major name in football footwear. The captain of the Brazilian team will be among those sporting the new design, which was created to improve performance and control in foot-to-ball contact. Made with thin leather and a mesh sockliner, the boot also stands out for its lightweight feel. Andrés Iniesta will also be wearing these new Magistra boots on the Spain team.
Lionel Messi: Adidas Adizeros F50 Messi
Adidas’ star brand ambassador during the World Cup in Brazil will undoubtedly be Lionel Messi. The AdiZero F50 boot offers power and speed and is one of the lightest models on the market. Designed as a tribute to the Argentinian forward and four-time Ballon d’Or recipient, these new cleats will be seen on Messi’s feet from June 15, when Argentina faces off with Bosnia.
Karim Benzema: Adidas Adizeros F50
Although Nike is the official outfitter of the French team, Karim Benzema will wear Adidas on his feet. The AdiZero 50, which inspired the “Messi” variation, is geared towards improving stability and acceleration while offering better comfort than ever. All that’s left for Karim Benzema to do is to put the ball into the goal.
Mesut Özil: Adidas Predator LZ
In the latest range from Adidas, the Predator LZ is the design that most matches the black uniform of the German team. But we assume midfielder Mesut Özil chose these cleats for their performance, as they offer optimal footing, accurate striking and excellent control. One of the top overall boots of the World Cup, the Predator LZ will also be worn by Brazilian player Oscar.
Radamel Falcao: Puma evoSPEED 1.2 Tricks FG
One of the most original designs introduced at this World Cup, the evoSPEED Tricks are likely to distract opponents due to their surprising color combination. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao will model the bold new look for Puma, wearing a bright pink shoe on his right foot and a sky blue one on his left. Beneath the bright exterior is a high-performance shoe geared towards flexibility, grip and manoeuvrability.
Yaya Touré: Puma evoPOWER 1 Tricks FG
Finally, Ivorian midfielder Yaya Touré will put on these evoPOWER boots, a cousin of the fuchsia/blue ones worn by Falcao. This model is designed specifically to give players a “barefoot” feel for more accurate and powerful striking. Flexible in the heel area while offering stability for the metatarsal bones, the evoPOWER will be worn by several strikers during the World Cup, including Cesc Fabregas for Spain and Mario Balotelli for Italy. — AFP-Relaxnews
