SoccerBible joined the action at the 2011 Copa America and Women's World Cup for the best of the boot spots. Along with some new and unique football boots on show, our boot spotters also managed to take in some qualifying games for the 2014 FIFA World Cup for a random boot spot!
 |
 |
|
Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay) Mizuno Wave Ignitus II
|
|
After initially wearing the black/pink Wave Ignitus II's, Santa Cruz was sporting the blue/white's at the Copa America. A colourway also preferred by Keisuke Honda, although unlike the Asian star Santa Cruz has the visible external heel counter.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Neymar (Brazil) Nike Mercurial Superfly III
|
|
Neymar is fast becoming a global star and we can see Nike are aware of this, making sure their man was wearing the latest Superfly colourway. Interestingly, Venezuela's Cesar Gonzalez was playing in the Ronaldo Safari football boots.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Betsy Hassett (New Zealand) Nike Tiempo Legend IV
|
|
The Tiempo IV was the latest Nike launch, and the focus was around the Elite versions. Although it is the standard Tiempo IV's Betsy Hassett opted for during the Women's World Cup, and we have to say the sole-plate does look particularly classy.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Cristian Benitez (Ecuador) adidas Predator Absolute
|
|
Benitez is a player who likes to be different when it comes to boot selection, and during Ecuador's Copa America game he appeared in two different boots. As well as a pair of custom adiPure's, Benitez was wearing these adidas Predator Absolute football boots, a bit of a classic and a favourite amongst Pred fans.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Sergio Aguero (Argentina) adidas adiPure IV
|
|
It seems Aguero's appearance in adiPure football boots wasn't just a one-off, as the Argentinian striker is still wearing the three-stripes (although he's blacked them out!). Aguero was the scorer of a crucial goal for Argentina in the opening game of the Copa America, as he saved their blushes and rescued a draw against Bolivia.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Marta (Brazil) Puma v1.11 Wn's
|
|
Wearing the bespoke Women's World Cup v1.11 football boots, Brazilian superstar Marta showed just why she has been named FIFA World Player of the Year five times on the bounce with a terrific strike to open her account for the tournament. Powering into the box, Marta left defender Mjelde for dead with two step-overs, before sliding the ball past the keeper!
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Lionel Messi (Argentina) adidas F50 adizero
|
|
Messi is continuing to wear the electricity F50 adizero's, which is quite brave when you consider he is playing in the Copa America and the boots are very close to the Brazilian colour! This is also a great shot of Messi's customised boots, which feature an enlarged tongue.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Ivan Piris (Paraguay) Nike Mercurial Superfly II
|
|
Already in the Copa America we've seen the Ronaldo Safari's, but here we get to see the boots Ronaldo wore after his Safari's – the windchill Vapor Superfly's, a colourway that has a real presence and looks classy on pitch. We can also see Benitez sporting his second pair of boots in one game, the customised adiPures.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Frickson Erazo (Ecuador) Nike Mercurial Superfly III ID
|
|
Erazo is wearing what look to be ID Superfly's, as around the heel it looks like there's some Flywire. But Erazo's customised Mercurials are a great colour match for the Ecuador home strip, be interesting to see what he wears if they have to wear their away strip.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Dani Alves (Brazil) adidas F50 adizero Prime
|
|
Boot and hair spot for Dani Alves, as it seems Neymar is having an influence on his team-mates with Alves sporting a new hairstyle! Alves hasn't been tempted into the electricity's which would be a great match for the Brazil kit, but he is one of the few pro players who opts for the Prime versions over the leather boot.
|
| |
 |
 |
|
Jagjit Shrestha (Nepal) adidas F30i
|
|
Unbelievably, qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil has aready begun, and Nepal had a strong showing with a 7-1 aggregate victory over Timor-Leste. The best of the boot spots came from the Nepalese player showing the most potential, Jagjit Shreshtha was sporting the macaw adidas F30i football boots, not F50i's which we originally put (thanks to simplybula and chelseafc25 for the heel studs spot).
|
| |
If there are any players and boots you've spotted and think should feature on this page, mail us at: u2us@soccerbible.com putting 'Boot Spotting' in the subject field.