Milestones – Nike Mercurial 1.0 1998

There have been a football boots “battle” between Nike and Adidas since 1994. In 1998 Adidas introduced the Accelerator, so Nike released the first ever Mercurial, which became Nike’s new star! It was the Brazilian star Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima, also known as R9, who debuted in the very first Nike Mercurial in World Cup 1998. 

The original colourway was black/white, it was the first time Nike used synthetic materials in a football boot. The syntethic material proved to be the succes, as they could make a boot light and durable at the same time.

A special version in sliver/blue/yellow was released for the World Cup final for Ronaldo to play in. This was the first step for Nike getting into the market of light speed boots.

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Milestones – Nike Tiempo Premier Sg 1994

Nike showed that they are also able to make football boots! The year was 1994, world cup in USA. It was the year Nike announced themselves to the world of football boots. In the world cup Nike managed to supply 10 of the players to wear Nike Tiempo in the World Cup Final between Italy-Brazil. Also 2 of the biggest stars to wear the boots, Romario and Maldini!

(Picture from my friend on InstaGram @botasclasicas, edited by The Boot Vault)

Nike wanted to keep the comfort and keep the boot strong. Nike Tiempo 1994 was a classy black leather boot with a white Nike swoosh. Already then Nike wanted to keep the boot quite simple and light compared to the other brands.

Check out for more Milestones coming!

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Milestones – Adidas Predator 1994

The original Adidas Predator released in 1994 was revolutionary in the way it managed to add power and swerve to the kick thanks to the rubber fins!

It was Craig Johnston back in 1988, footballer from Australia, who was the key man developing the first Predator. It was his idea to add the rubber fins, he compared it to table-tennis.

These boots became Adidas biggest revolution in the history of football boots!

Thank you for reading and next Milestone will be published soon.

Milestones – Puma King 1970

Puma King had a mayor influence during years 1968-1990. It all started in 1966 World Cup when the player of the tournament Eusebio wore the Puma King, the trademark of Puma formstripes are still today the same as back in 1966. Some big names wore Puma King during the years, Pele in 1970, Cruyff in 1974 and Diego Maradona from 1978-1990.

In 1994 World Cup Puma started to struggle when Nike and Adidas launched their new boots.

Puma King 1970.

(Soccerbible- Puma King Pele, Football Boots Vault, 06 April 2011).