Ronaldo - Nike's Original Speedster

Soccer_Boots — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:28:00 GMT

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Monday 14th of February 2011 will go down in football history as the day one of the worlds greatest players retired from the sport. Brazilian legend Ronaldo has decided to call time on his illustrious career at the age of 34. His name is already cemented in football history and will forever be remembered as one of the all-time greats. His rise from Rio to becoming the world's best player was nothing less than phenomenal.

Here at SoccerBible, instead of taking you through his endless list of accolades and achievements, we thought we'd remember the influence this legendary player had on the world of football boots and how he changed boot design forever...

Forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry, when it came to Nike 'Speed' players there was only one man for the job. When designers at Nike HQ decided to pour all of their energy into developing the world's lightest boot, Ronaldo was the obvious choice to front the revolution of football boot design.

In 1998, football was introduced to a boot that would forever change the game. After extensive testing and research in the Nike labs, Ronaldo was introduced to his new weapon in speed - the very first Mercurial. The original 'Phenomenon' was about to lend his talent, vision and mind-blowing speed to developing the fastest football boot on the planet.

Disguised as a Tiempo boot, Nike equipped Ronaldo with his new Mercurial boots. He went on to wreak havoc on Serie A defenders for Inter Milan in preparation for the '98 World Cup. French soil was soon to be introduced to the world's fastest player with the world's fastest boots.

Weeks later, Nike's most valuable asset, R9, used the biggest stage in world football to announce the arrival of the new Mercurial Nike football boots. This wasn't just any boot for any player. Ronaldo's new Silver/Blue/Yellow Mercurials created an impact that rippled to all four corners of the globe.

They caused the kind of stir a shark makes in a fish pond. For boot fans, the France '98 World Cup will forever be associated with the famous Nike R9 Mercurial boots. The marriage of the world's greatest player and the world's fastest boots. R9 marked the beginning of a boot revolution...

Four years later, R9 was still ruling the football world. Once again, Nike were ready to use the global stage of the 2002 World Cup to introduce the latest, most anticipated boot ever to emerge from the Nike labs - the Nike Mercurial Vapor I. Even Nike couldn't have anticipated the impact Ronaldo and the new Mercurial Vapor boots would have in Korea and Japan...

The brief for Nike designers was simple - make the lightest football boot ever. The Vapor I's completely broke the mould for lightweight boots. The new era of 'Super-Light' boots had arrived and was set to take the world by storm. The boots weighed an astonishing 194 grams and were the lightest production boots on the market.

Never mind the eye-catching hair cut - the gaze of the fans never shifted from R9's feet. He dominated the whole tournament scoring eight goals in seven matches including a brace in the biggest World Cup Final of all. The Mercurial Vapor's had arrived and left their mark, all thanks to a blistering number 9 who's dominance was unquestionable.

Following the years that succeed the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo would continue to be a key figure in the evolution of the Nike Vapor range. He went on to sign for Real Madrid in August 2002, becoming the deadliest acquisition in La Liga scoring 23 league goals in his first season. During this time, the Nike Vapor boots were dominating football pitches across Europe and with the release of the Vapor II in 2004, they were recognised as the boot for the worlds fastest players.

With Ronaldo continuing the dominate La Liga, slotting home 20-odd goals a season, there was another Ronaldo in England, preparing to take the Mercurial mantle off the Brazilian. While the appreciation of R9's fans was still echoing around the globe, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo was quietly building a reputation to match that of his Brazilian namesake. The tide was turning...

Football brilliance aside, Ronaldo will always be remembered for the first two incarnations of the Nike Mercurial boots. These were all about R9. He set the standard for what a 'Speed' player should be - speed, grace and most importantly, goals. Ronaldo set the Mercurial range on its path to stardom, becoming an icon of the boot that will forever be remembered.

As always, we'd love to hear your opinions on Ronaldo's retirement and what your best memories of the Brazilian legend are!

International Preview - France vs Brasil

Soccer_Boots — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:10:00 GMT

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The biggest match of the International break takes centre stage tomorrow night in Paris when France host Brasil at the Stade de France. Amongst all the pre-match hype, Nike will be paying extra close attention to the game as it's the stage for the debut of their two newest international kits.

Both France and Brasil will wear their new national strips tomorrow night in Paris as France officially mark the beginning of their post-adidas, Nike era...

Going into the game, Brasil are under a bit of pressure as they look to recover from their relatively poor World Cup and prepare for their defence of the 2011 Copa América tournament this summer.

Brasil manager Mano Menezes has named a strong team, featuring three AC Milan players. Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Thiago Silva, who headline a youthful Brasil side looking for a fresh start to the international year.

On form Hernanaes from Lazio will be one to look out for who is experiencing a great first season in Italian football. The Seleção coach has put a strong ephasis on youth, naming Bayer Leverkusen's Renato Augusto, Shaktar Donestsk's Jadson and Dynamo Kiev striker Andre. Kaka, who has recently returned from injury has no place in the squad along with Inter Milan defenders Lucio and Maicon.

Brasil will be wearing their new International Nike kit that we recently showcased here on SoccerBible. To see the full review and exclusive images, click here.

The match will be a stern test for Laurent Blanc's side as they continue to rebuild after their woeful World Cup. Their post World Cup revival is now starting to take shape under Laurent Blanc and it is starting to show. After a string of successful friendlies, including a 2-1 win over England at Wembley, France currently sit top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group and will be eager to test themselves against a youthful but strong Brazilian side.

Since Blanc took over in August, the signs have been positive. The French manager believes his side can fare well against the five-time world champions. Blanc has named a good squad which interestingly doesn't include World Cup captain Patrice Evra. Despite completing his five-match ban for his role in the revolt against Domenech in South Africa, there is no place for him in the squad. Ahead of Evra, Blanc has chosen Barcelona's Eric Abidal and Arsenal's Gael Clichy. Clichy's Arsenal club team-mate Laurent Koscielny has also received a first international call-up.

All eyes will be on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema who, along with the injured Samir Nasri, is seen as the future of the French national team. He is crucial to the France front line and will be looking to play a big part in the turnaround of national performances. Other names included are Lyon's Yoann Gourcuff, Bordeaux's Alou Diarre and Loic Remy of Marseille.

It will be an extra special night for Nike, who will be eager to see the country's reaction to the new Nike France International kit. After years of playing in the three stripes, the new Nike kit has been marketed as a new beginning for French football. To see our full review and exclusive images of the new Nike France International shirt, click here.

Aside from looking forward to what should be a great game of football, we're excited to see how the new International kits look on pitch! As always, we'd love to here your opinions on a match between two of footballs great international sides...

Football News : Nike, Brazil, Feb11

Ronaldo - Nike's Original Speedster

International Preview - France vs Brasil