Over the years one boot range has been the stand-out performer in the Premier League, and top goalscorer no less than eight times in the last eleven years! Worn by such great players as Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba, the Nike Mercurial football boots have dominated the scoring charts...
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Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial 2
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The beginning of one of footballs most iconic boot ranges. In Arsenals 2001/02 season, Thierry Henry was setting the Premier League alight wearing the black/red Nike Mercurial 2 – Nike's first boot silo to be made using synthetic materials, and also their first venture into the market of lightweight boot design. Thierry's 32 goals (24 in the league) helped Arsenal to the domestic double of the Premiership and the FA Cup, beginning his Mercurial journey that would see him become one of Nike's most famous players.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) Nike Mercurial Vapor
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After notching 23 goals in the 01/02 season and being pipped by Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy continued his consistent lethal form in front of goal for the 02/03 season, hitting the back of the net no less than 25 times to claim the Golden Boot. Van Nistelrooy was playing in the first Mercurial Vapor, and little did we know the impact the range would go on to have in the game, and Ruud wasn't alone in sporting the latest Nike boot as they were also being worn by Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Edgar Davids.
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Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial Vapor II
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The Nike Mercurial Vapor II was released in January 2004 in two colourways: team red and photo blue. After enjoying a goal-fuelled first half to the season with Arsenal, Thierry Henry continued to find the back of the net as he moved into the Mercurial Vapor II. The boots became part of history as Arsenal remarkably went the whole season unbeaten with the Frenchman being awarded the Golden Boot with an impressive 30 league goals.
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Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial Vapor II
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Thierry Henry completed his hat-trick of Golden Boots, as for the third time he came top of the English Premier League goalscoring charts, and Thierry's tally of 25 goals was enough to land him the European Golden Boot also. Henry remained in the Nike Mercurial Vapor II football boots throughout the entire season, which had by now been released in an array of colours as the Vapor was gaining a reputation for being one of the most colourful boots on the market.
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Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Nike Mercurial Vapor III
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The Nike Mercurial Vapor III took speed to a whole new level. As sleek as a sports car and equipped with the traction of high performance tyres, the MVIII was a full 0.45m ahead of the average football boot at the end of a 10-metre course. Give one of the games most advanced football boots to one of the worlds most lethal players and you're guaranteed goals! Thierry Henry netted 27 times in Arsenal's season that saw them reach the final of the Champions League.
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Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Nike Mercurial Vapor III
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The 2006/07 Premier League campaign was a season wonder for Didier Drogba who hit 33 goals in all competitions. Just 20 goals in the league was enough to secure him the Golden Boot award, wearing what had to be one of his personal favourite Vapor boots! The blue Nike Vapor III soccer shoes were a perfect match for Chelsea's home strip, even if his personalisation was in need of an update! Drogba switched from the number 15 to number 11 after the departure of Damien Duff.
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Untied) Nike Mercurial Vapor IV
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In 2008 after years of development work, Nike revolutionised the Mercurial line with the release of one of footballs most iconic football boots – the Mercurial Vapor IV. Spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo from January 08, the Portuguese winger netted his first Manchester United hat-trick wearing his new Mercurial soccer shoes before becoming the seventh consecutive Merc wearer to take the title of Premier League top scorer!
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Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
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The Mercurial was back to the top of the goal scoring charts after losing out to Nicolas Anelka and Puma the season before. Didier Drogba picked up his second Golden Boot wearing the Nike Mercurial Superfly in the 2009/10 season. After their Premier League debut at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo in February 2009, Drogba was soon equipped with Nike's most advance footwear, before undergoing a long stint in the boots that helped his Chelsea side to a record breaking season ending in a League and FA Cup double!
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Do you have a favourite Mercurial scoring moment, or a particular colourway that stands out! With the launch of the new Nike Mercurial football boots on the horizon, share your thoughts and opinions online, on Twitter and on Facebook.