How times have changed in the 21st century. Before the 2000s, footballers opted to go with only black and the occasional white boots. After the 2000s, we've seen a plethora of colors on boots. Almost to the point of where if a black colourway is released from Nike, it would be deemed 'boring' or 'old school'. With the turn of the 21st century, eyes begun to look down at what their favorite players were wearing, and the brands haven't disappointed since.
This list ranks the top 10 historic boots of these past 14 years, where the players' footwear is just as memorable as the moment itself.
10 Magista/Primeknit
Although the Nike Magista and adidas Primeknit are new, there is no doubt to how revolutionary these boots really are/will be. Being the first hightop football boot ever, the world just can't wait to get their feet on a pair and test out the feel. With the Nike Magista already receiving praise from professionals such as Iniesta, Goetze, Thiago Silva, and David Luiz, these hightop boots definitely deserve a spot on the list.
9 Mizuno Wave Cup Rivaldo
The Brazilian midfielder was an instrumental piece to Brazil's 2002 World Cup campaign, and his boots were there helping him along the way. With the world's best players wearing either adidas or Nike at the time, Rivaldo raised eyebrows when he laced up in the Mizuno Wave Cup boots (perhaps why Hulk chooses to wear this brand). The all-white colourway with a touch of blue were a can't miss every time the Brazilian #10 suited them up on 7 different occasions in South Korea/Japan.
8 Messi scores most goals in a calendar year for club and country
Best year in football? Though some football enthusiasts opine differently on the question, let's just agree to the fact that those boots Messi wore in 2012 are simply historic. The Argentine forward netted 86 goals for Barcelona and Argentina in official competitions, and the lightweight adidas F50 adizero guided Messi to every one. With goals ranging from chips, headers, finesse, power, etc, the Argentina superstar's boots gained a spot on the list.
7 Kaka wears adidas Predator Absolute
The Brazilian "son of God" was at the peak of his career in 2006-07, when he led Brazil in the 2006 World Cup, AC Milan to the Champions League title, and a FIFA World Player Of Year Award in adidas Predator Absolute boots. With adidas releasing the boot in late 2006, Kaka was the perfect picture boy to don the model.
6 Nike Mercurial Vapor III R9
With the World Cup returning to Germany in 2006, the Brazilian squad entered as strong favorites to lift the trophy. Though an early exit at the hands of Thierry Henry's France (pun intended) in the quarter-finals, Ronaldo still had enough time to drop the world's mouths when he laced up in yellow Nike Mercurial Vapor III R9 boots. Breaking the all-time FIFA World Cup goal-scoring record during the tournament, the legendary forward not only rewrote the history books but also the boot game.
5 Nike Total 90
The idea of placing shoe-laces on the side of a boot was completely unthought of before 2000, but it was exactly what Nike did to the Total 90. This revolutionary boot later inspired all brands to start to place laces on the sides. So much inspiration in fact that Lotto decided to get rid of the laces all together in their release of the Lotto Zhero Gravity boot a couple years later. With the Total 90 being worn by Roberto Carlos, Fabio Cannavaro, Paul Scholes, Luis Figo, and a young Wayne Rooney, the boot has become an instant classic.
4 Ronaldinho's Nike Tiempo Legend in 2005
The boots Ronaldinho wore famously in the cross-bar commercial. There was a time when everyone wanted to be like Ronaldinho, and why not? The Brazilian legend was undoubtedly the best footballer on the planet in his time and with the camera zooming in over brilliant step-overs we couldn't miss the Tiempo Legend he donned. The all-white colourway with the gold swoosh was the perfect boot for the Brazilian #10.
How we miss Joga Bonito...
3 Adidas Predator Mania
A classic of classics that was involved in too many historic moments to recount and arguably the best football boot of all time. Released for the 2002 World Cup, the Mania was Predator perfection. The first Pred to include an elasticated tongue and white rubber panels for increased ball swerve. Every small detail on the Mania from the heel counter to the cushioned adidas logo on the instep made it the ultimate Pred. When someone says adidas Predator this is the boot that comes to mind.
2 Ronaldo's Nike Mercurial Vapor I
Ronaldo is back on the list again and for right reason. In the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldo wore the Nike Mercurial Vapor I, the lightest boot that had ever graced the pitch. The Brazilian forward netted twice in the final and 8 in the tournament, en route to Brazil's fifth FIFA World Cup triumph.
1 Zidane's adidas Predator Absolute
The French legend left the world stage on a grand note, and not because of the headbutt. Zidane wore the adidas Predator Absolute in a gold colourway throughout the tournament, and the legendary boots fit perfectly for the legendary midfielder. He scored three in the 06 World Cup, and led France to a heartbreaking runner-up finish.
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