First it was Diego Forlan, and now Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain have joined the growing number of players setting the tournament alight wearing adidas adiZero football boots!
The adidas F50 adiZero football boots were the major pre-World Cup boot release, but as they only had a few outings in the Champions League, Europa League and Primera Division, we were keen to see how the boots would perform at the World Cup. But like many football boot fans, we've been blown away with the performances of adidas adiZero wearers at this summer's World Cup.
Individuals catching the eye, and players of the tournament so far, include Diego Forlan, Leo Messi and Gonzalo Higuain. Forlan built on his excellent work-rate against France, to dominate play against South Africa scoring two goals one of which was a great strike, and turning creative provider for Uruguay's third goal. Whilst for Argentina, Messi has been at his mazy and skilful best and Higuain scored an excellent hat-trick against South Korea, the first World Cup hat-trick since Portugal's Pauleta in 2002.
It seems adidas have responded to their players, and created a genuinely competitive speed boot. The adiZero has been in development for some time, as we found out from our exclusive interview with senior adiZero designer Aubrey Dolan. But the host of prototypes and extensive player testing, seems time well spent with an impressive end product.
Our SoccerBible exclusive World Cup Boot Race (as featured on the home page), shows the formidable form the adiZero's have been in. Scoring over 10 goals at the World Cup so far, almost double that of the nearest boot. So, although Nike's Elite football boots may be getting noticed due to their distinctive colourway, it's the adidas F50 adiZero football boots that are making the difference on pitch!
Have YOU been surprised with the performances of the adidas F50 adiZero football boots at the World Cup? Were you initially sceptical of the boots but are now a fan, or did you love the boots from the first time you set eyes on them...we'd love to hear YOUR opinion!