What the Mercurial: A Tribute to 18 Years of Nike Speed Boot History
In 1998, football boots were typically made of leather, heavy, and equipped with a tongue. No clear market leader existed, though boots with more advanced
In 1998, football boots were typically made of leather, heavy, and equipped with a tongue. No clear market leader existed, though boots with more advanced frameworks were beginning to appear. Nike was not yet a dominant brand in football and never positioned itself as a follower of other brands’ styles. Determined to make a strong entry into the sector, the company knew it needed to launch something unique.
That was the birth of the first Nike Mercurial. It featured a synthetic framework and became the first in a legacy that continues today. The current Mercurial Superfly IV is approaching its second anniversary, signaling the time for another generational step and a farewell. To mark this change, the American brand has released a special edition that has left many speechless.
What the Mercurial: The Tribute Boot
What the Mercurial is the model that pays homage to the speed boot’s history. As a Mercurial fan since the first release, it is clear that someone unfamiliar with the boot’s legacy might even consider the design ugly.
However, it is important to appreciate what Nike has done here: bringing together the 16 most significant models of the last 18 years in one boot—something never seen before. Upon holding the boot, each of the 16 references can be identified, evoking memories of a particular year, championship, or player.
That is the essence of this boot. Looking at it, one can recall the 1998 World Cup and the image of Ronaldo Nazario standing with his boots tied together and hanging around his neck after losing the final to France. The 2002 Chrome boots he used to win the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Safari and carbon fibre boots, the Brio Cables and Dynamic Fit Collar, the boots for the Euro Cup, and the boots worn when Spain won the 2010 World Cup—a time travel through football boot history.
The 16 Iconic Models Represented
Now that the basics are clear, here is which Mercurial model is represented by every stripe on the boot.
Nike Mercurial (1998)
The first model of the Mercurial line, destined to revolutionise the former concept of a football boot.
Mercurial Alpha Project (2000)
On the backside of the heel, a tribute to the second generation. It was not as commercially successful but showed that the American brand did not back down.
Mercurial Vapor I Silver/Chrome/Black/Volt (2002)
The lightest boot on the market at the time, worn by Ronaldo Nazario to win the Korea/Japan World Cup with a Chrome design never seen before.
Mercurial Vapor III Yellow/Pine Green (2006)
Another World Cup, the same main character: Ronaldo Nazario in his exclusive yellow Mercurial boots.
Mercurial Vapor SL (2008)
Cristiano Ronaldo, now a worldwide star, was allowed to wear an exclusive boot: the Mercurial SL (Super Light) model made of carbon fibre.
Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Metallic Mach Purple/Total Orange (2010)
The South Africa World Cup, remembered by all Spaniards. Nike launched the same decoration in silver and orange, featuring Brio Cables and carbon fibre in the sole.
CR7 Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Safari (2010)
Cristiano Ronaldo became Nike’s franchise player and received an exclusive model that appeared on every front page due to its innovative design.
CR7 Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Windchill (2011)
A new decoration for Nike’s star model. The company needed something great to counter the attention gained by the competition at that time.
Mercurial Vapor Superfly III Plum/Volt/Black (2011)
Few changes in this next generation. Players loved the prior model, so Nike focused on small finishing touches.
Mercurial Vapor VIII Mango (2012)
Remembered as one of the best in Mercurial history. The Teijin upper was very thin and provided perfect fit. Carbon fibre was replaced by glass fibre. A remake of this model was released recently.
Mercurial Vapor VIII Clash (2012)
A new decoration by Nike for the 2012 Euro Cup, combining colours that did not go unnoticed.
Mercurial Vapor IX Fireberry/Electric Green (2013)
Nike developed a new upper with a texture that imitates a golf ball’s surface to increase speed.
Mercurial IX Special Edition R9 15th Anniversary (2013)
For the 15th anniversary of the Mercurial boot, a tribute was created as an adapted re‑edition using the current model.
Mercurial Superfly IV Hyper Punch-Gold (2014)
A few weeks before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Nike launched a Mercurial with a Flyknit upper and a boot style that surprised and left the industry speechless—changing the concept of the football boot once again.
Mercurial Superfly CR7 Galaxy (2014)
Cristiano Ronaldo received his first exclusive boot model on the Mercurial Superfly IV. The standout feature was the upper’s spectacular shiny finish due to glitter.
Nike Mercurial Superfly IV BHM (2015)
The first Nike football boot to join the BHM collection. Part of the sales from this collection supports maximising the potential of marginalised young people through sports.
The Final Outcome
What is the final result? What the Mercurial / Mercurial Superfly SE. A boot for those who love speed models, innovation, Ronaldo Nazario or CR7, and for those who enjoy travelling back in time to remember 16 historic moments of the Swoosh brand.
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