Neymar’s inevitable rise to signature status is complete. This here is Neymar’s first signature edition Mercurial Vapor. Titled “Written In The Stars” and inspired by his journey of turning young hype into established dominance, the exclusive design marks the beginning of a significant chapter in the future of Nike Football.
The Nike Football baton hasn’t yet been passed by Cristiano Ronaldo to Neymar, but the Brazilian has certainly got his first feel of it with his debut signature Mercurial Vapor XI. We ain’t writing Ronaldo off just yet, far from it, but with Neymar being seven years his junior we can consider this the first step of Nike crowning Neymar as their future leading icon.
For Neymar, it’s an achievement with deep meaning; “I grew up wearing Mercurial as a kid, so it’s like a dream to have my story on this boot. It means a lot that it’s not just about me, but my family and the moments I shared with great teammates on the pitch."
What Neymar is speaking of is the design of the “Written In The Stars” Mercurial Vapor XI. Nike have designed the boot to share the story of the player fulfilling his destiny and embracing the pressure on his shoulders from such a young age. Tributes to his country and family are present across the boot, none less so than the colours of the Brazil flag across the upper.
The blues and yellows of Brazil are amplified to vibrant “Blue Orbit” and “Volt” and host a Southern Cross constellation graphic to further credit Neymar’s Brazilian upbringing. Neymar’s debut goal for the national team in 2010 is remembered on the design, along with last summer’s triumph in the Olympics — acknowledged via reference to Maracana Stadium.
Brazil’s five stars to represent their World Cup successes also appear on the boot. When we said the design of the Neymar “Written In The Star” boot documents his journey we weren’t kidding. The upper is mapped out with stories like an unfinished autobiography as Neymar displays landmark dates, including 11.03.96 (the date of birth of his sister, Rafaella) and 24.08.11 (the birthdate of his son, David Lucca).
Neymar’s own birthdate (02.05.92) is thrown in for good measure too, along with his top speed of 34.7 KM/H, obviously. That ain’t all though, nope. The dotted geographical figures on the boot mimic maps of Barcelona and Brazil, respectively. No mention of Paris, not on this one anyway.
Several of Neymar’s goals are also commemorated on the boot, starting with his first goal for Barca on September 24, 2010. The boot also marks his first goal against Real Madrid on October 26, 2013 and his goal in the 2015 Champions League Final. On closer inspection you can see the “constellations” on the boot depict the path the ball took in the build-up to each of the goals referenced.
Still with us? Good. We’ll rattle through the last few. His 100th career goal and wonder-goal against Villarreal feature. The lace aglets of the boot read “Ousadia” and “Alegria” (“daring” and “joy” in the player's native Portuguese). And that’s that. Oh, and the word ‘Neymar’ feature on the heels, in case you had any doubts over whose signature boot this was.
The Neymar "Written In The Stars" boot is available from July 28 at prodirectsoccer.com
