PUMA FOOTBALL COLLECTION COMMEMORATES MARADONA’S 50TH BIRTHDAY
As Diego Maradona prepares to celebrate his 50th birthday, PUMA is marking the occasion with the launch of a new collection dedicated to one of the greatest footballers ever to have played the game. Over a playing career that spanned more than 20 years, Maradona broke the world transfer record twice, led Napoli through the most successful period of the club’s history, and captained Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986 in which he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. All in PUMA boots. Few people will forget the ‘Goal of the Century’ as he collected the ball in his own half, danced around six England players, before slipping the ball past Peter Shilton in a moment that cemented his status as a footballing legend.
Maradona wore PUMA boots throughout his career, having a passion for the brand that never wavered. Most recently, the former Argentina national manager could be seen wearing PUMA boots on the training ground in South Africa, as he coached his countrymen through the 2010 World Cup.
The PUMA Diego collection comprises of the following:
Esito Diego Finale I FG
After sporting PUMA boots throughout his career, this special edition of the Esito Diego Finale I FG is a fitting piece of the collection. Offering a classic design, this boot combines comfort and longevity by using a soft yet highly abrasion resistant PU synthetic leather.
King Diego Graphic Tee
Inspired by his adoring fans, PUMA created this one-of-a-kind tee using personal messages and greetings from Diego’s fans during his golden years.
King Diego Duffle Bag
This carry-all bag is as unique as it sounds. Sporting a copy of Diego Maradona’s signature, the vintage 80’s styling uses Maradona’s number 10 and Argentina’s national colors. This bag is essential for any serious football player, offering plenty of room with a two-way opening zip into the main compartment, a front slip zipped pocket and webbed handles. This is retro elegance at its finest.
King Diego Ball
Another way to honor one of the greatest footballers ever to play the game is by creating this one-of-a-kind ball. This hand -stitched, 32 panel ball is made to withstand the toughest shots. Multilayered backing gives the King Diego Ball enhanced stability and aerodynamics, so you can make your best shot.
King Diego Jacket
The King Diego Jacket harkens back to Maradona’s days on the pitch. PUMA’s iconic cat embroidery, the Maradona badge on the left chest and the embroidered Maradona signature on the upper back make this jacket as unique as the great footballer himself. The number 10 badge and national team colours are sure to make you feel like an icon while wearing it.
The PUMA Diego collection will be available from 30 October 2010, coinciding with Diego Maradona’s 50th birthday. For more information, visit www.puma.com.
PUMA V1.10 SL LIGHTNING BOOTS
Just a few weeks ago, Puma released the new V1.10 SL which took lightweight speed boots to another level. Weighing in at a miserly 150g, the SL took the ‘lightest boot in the world’ title off the highly successful Adidas AdiZero.
The V1.10 SL took inspiration from the v1.815 Ferrari concept boot and is a stripped out version of the original V1.10. Now Puma have released the second colourway of this groundbreaking boot; Team Yellow/Amazon Green/Black which was inspired by the national colours of Jamaica.
Why Jamaica? Well Puma have the fastest man on the planet on their books in the shape of Usain Bolt. The Olympic gold medal winner is an avid football fan and has been seen running in the African Unity Kit and ‘Tricks’ colourway inspired running shoes. It is no surprise then that Bolt and one of Puma’s most recognizable faces in football; Samuel Eto’o joined forces to inspire the design of this new boot.
Usain Bolt and Samuel Eto’o deliver the ultimate in speed, skill and performance and this is reflected in the new V1.10 SL Lightning. The bright colours of Jamaica are not the only stand out feature on the boot. Swarovski crystals embedded in the heel link it to the IAAF Diamond League while the Jamaican national motto “Out of Many, One People” is presented on the out-step.
The boot’s upper is an ultra-light abrasion resistant microfibre bounded to the Pebax external heel counter. A Carbon Fibre reinforced outsole gives the boot great strength and balance for your mid-foot.
These boots are truly eye-catching and an amazing technological achievement for Puma. The AdiZero has taken the footballing world by storm and we wait with expectation to see what the new Team Yellow/Amazon Green/Black V1.10 SL Lightning can do.
GET READY FOR BOLT, ETO’O AND A CERTAIN BOOT
Puma have released a new viral with the tagline ‘Get ready for Bolt, Eto’o and a certain boot’. We know what the ‘certain boot’ is, having been lucky enough to see some images of them -and we can tell you that they are awesome! That however is all we can say… Be sure to be here on the 19th for the release of… well, a certain boot.
Inspired by Jamaica. Designed for speed. On August 19 the Lightest Boot in the World comes to the… world.
ADIDAS ADIZERO MESSI METALLIC GOLD/BLACK/WHITE
After their dominating showing at the World Cup, it is no wonder Adidas have released a Golden pair of AdiZero boots and who better to give them to as an exclusive colourway than Lionel Messi? The diminutive Argentinean is widely regarded as the world’s best player. The World Cup saw Messi in the Chameleon colourway – which has now become available to all the pros. And what hot property they have become!
Now Messi will once again be in his own colourway. The Metallic Gold/Black/White will look great with his Barcelona kit. You can expect to see this new colourway on Messi in early September.
ROBBIE KEANE’S CUSTOM 100 CAPS NIKE T90 LASER III BOOTS
The World Cup is over and just before the start of the new domestic competitions, Fifa has stuck in an international friendly date. The games couldn’t come at a worse time for some managers and players while others wont mind the opportunity to blood some new faces. One man that will be looking forward to his international tie is Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane. The Republic of Ireland skipper will win his 100th cap for his country when they face Argentina in the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin. To celebrate his amazing achievement, Robbie has been given a unique custom pair of Nike T90 Laser III boots.
The unique colourway is based on the original Electric Green colourway the boots were first released in. Incorporated into the colourway is the white and orange of the national flag as well as his squad number, 100th Cap, Ireland flag and the name and date of birth of his son embroided onto the side of the boots.
Other international friendlies to watch out for:
USA v Brazil
England v Hungary
Ukraine v Netherlands
Denmark v Germany
South Africa v Ghana
Mexico v Spain
UMBRO STEALTH PRO: BLACK/LIME
Umbro have released a new colourway for their Stealth Pro. The Stealth Pros have been a great success since their release in March.
This new Black/Lime colourway will undoubtedly be a big success in the Premier League. Look out for these on the feet of players such as Gael Clichy, Phil Jagileka and Michael Mancienne.
NEW NIKE BOOT COLOURWAYS
Nike have released a plethora of boots in the last week with new colourways featured for both the ’standard’ and Elite models.
We start with the Vapor and Superfly II. The speed boot battle seems to be hotter than ever. Adidas released a real contender with the AdiZero, while Puma’s new V1.10 SL promises to get people talking. Even Umbro have entered the competition with the GT… Nike will still claim to have a firm grip on the market however and their new colourway; Bright Cactus/White/Anthracite will certainly keep people interested.
This new colourway is available in both the Elite and ’standard’ version.
The CTR360 has grown to become one of the best boots on the market. They already have small bragging rights like the fact that they scored the goal to win Spain the World Cup final. Well Andreas Iniesta scored the goal… but he was wearing CTRs. Now Nike release their newest colourway; Black/White/Retro. We have always enjoyed the two-tone colourways of the CTR360 and Nike have added a new look with the colours fading into each other rather than there being two distinct colours. We really like this new colourway.
This new colourway is available in both the Elite and ’standard’ version.
A colourway that is not currently available in the Elite series is this new White/Cyber/Black colourway. Again Nike have chosen to fade one colour into another and we really enjoy the effect. The ‘Cyber’ certainly stands out on this colourway and we look forward to seeing these in motion!
After what was not a great World Cup for either Rooney or Torres, two of the Premier League’s top strikers now have a chance to rectify their poor form. And they could be doing it in these; the new Nike T90 Laser III Challenge Red/White/Black colourway. Or you could call it ‘The Manchester United’ or ‘The Liverpool’…
This new colourway is available in both the Elite and ’standard’ version.
The bright red colourway will match perfectly with either kit and we have already had the opportunity to see the boots with the new United kit on their pre-season tour to the USA. Rooney is still on holiday recovering from the World Cup but it seems this colourway is already a hit with both Darren Gibson and Paul Scholes.
Another colourway that is not currently available in the Elite series is the K-Leather T90 Laser III. Having noted how good the Challenge Red/White/Black boots would look with Fernando Torres’ Liverpool kit, don’t be surprised if the Spanish star comes out in a pair of these White/Photo Blue/Charcoal boots. The Liverpool star is notoriously fussy about his boots and prefers a white pair. We can see why – these ooze class.
The last colourway is a classic looking colourway for the Nike Tiempo Legend III. One of the games’ all time greatest boots; the Legends return in a White/Seaweed/Red colourway.
This new colourway is available in both the Elite and ’standard’ version.
So which colourway is your favourite?
ADIDAS PREDATOR X BECKHAM
During the World Cup, David Beckham was spotted training in a pair of red Predator X boots. Well Adidas have now launched the new Adidas Predator X Beckham Football Boots – Collegiate Red/White.
These boots would have looked amazing with the England kit (as they would with his old Manchester United kit…) and it is a pity we didn’t get to see him wear them in South Africa.
Taurus Supremacy:
Taurus leather combines a natural look, light weight, high abrasion and weatherproof features. Its specially designed weatherproof tanning and new nanotechnology in the finishing process ensures lower water absorption and superior resistance, guaranteeing a lightweight shoe throughout the game in any weather conditions.
PREDATOR®:
Engineered PREDATOR® element integrated in the boot’s swerve zone that increases the contact time with the ball and provides a higher friction rate on a greater contact area, ensuring even more swerve, control and accuracy. The element’s new compound is thinner, softer and more flexible, giving the player a more natural feel and improved ball contact when shooting.
REEBOK INSTANTE II PRO AND RG800
Instante II Pro
The hot new Reebok Instante II Pro Hard Ground Football Boot has arrived in South Africa featuring Reebok’s revolutionary heat activated U- FORM for a unique customised fit!
The boot was launched a while ago (beginning of June in fact) and has already won the World Cup on the feet of Spanish keeper and captain Iker Casillas.
U-FORM gives you a second skin and a perfect, personal fit with maximum support due to the customization of the upper.
Heat up at 93 degrees and in 3.5 mins the UF logo on the heel changes from Black to RED indicating when it’s ready to fit.
Then simply lace the shoe and relax for 8 mins and you have got a boot customized to the shape of your own feet!
This process can be repeated successfully up to 50 times for continued customized comfort.
The Instante Pro has a lightweight synthetic upper, designed to make this boot both light and durable. This boot also features rubber vamps for added ball swerve.
Reebok Power Unit and Power Frame technology provide a solid support for the foot allowing a one way flex improving striking power.
The inside of the boot features a smoothfit lining and a non slip lightweight sockliner ensuring that this boot moves in harmony with the foot and is comfortable at all times.
Casillas wore the Silver/Black version throughout the World Cup. It will be interesting to see which colour New York Red Bulls recruit Thierry Henry chooses to wear.
Blue/Silver/Black Red/Orange/Black
Giggs RG 800 Pro Limited Edition
Another boot that has been around for a while is the Ryan Giggs special edition. Introducing the ultimate in collector’s football boots, Reebok RG800.
Ryan Giggs has worn Reebok football boots since the mid-1990’s and in that time the Welsh Wizard has scored some of English football’s most memorable goals. How can anyone forget the wonder goal against Arsenal in the 1999 FA Cup…pure genius, pure class.
That is what the RG 800 football boot is all about. Reebok have decided to pay homage to their biggest star with the release of this limited edition football boot. A supple gold leather upper is perfectly complimented by the regal red leather of the classic Reebok double stripe which all provide excellent comfort, fit and touch for the ball. The soft ground soleplate features Ryan’s extensive medal collection and awards he has collected in the 23 years he has been a Manchester United player. This really is the ultimate boot for all Giggs and football fans – a boot for arguably the greatest footballer of his generation.
The only surprise about Ryan Giggs being named PFA Player of the Year in April 2009 was that it had taken so long for him to win the prestigious award. After all, he’d previously received countless other individual gongs – including the PFA Young Player award twice in his early career – not to mention more team honours than any other player in Man United’s illustrious history. Giggs is United’s record appearance-maker. He surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s 758 on the night he helped the Reds secure a third European Cup triumph – his second – in Moscow on 21 May 2008.
To mark Ryan Giggs surpassing the 800 appearance mark, Reebok released this limited edition collectors Football Boot in a stunning presentation box.
