What Has Happened to Nike Football?
- Nike's Peak: Nike's football division was at its best in 2014 with the release of innovative knitted boots.
- Recent Issues: Nike's current football boots have quality issues, such as the logo detaching, and problems with the collar design, leading to players like Cristiano Ronaldo modifying them.
- Lost Deals: Despite the Germany kit deal, Nike has lost several significant football deals, suggesting a decline in their investment in men's football.
Ten years ago, for the 2014 World Cup, Nike possibly reached its prime in football - the brand released the first knitted football boots with socks, letting Adidas look like a trash brand (Adidas released a horrendous full-sock boot, the Adidas Primeknit FS). Now, in 2024, Nike's performance in football raises questions.
Cristiano Ronaldo Wears Nike Mercurial Boots With Defect & Custom Cut-Off Collar
Cristiano Ronaldo finally switched to the green Nieke Mercurial football boots. However, he faced the same problem as other players of the Nike Mercurial Dream Speed 8 football boots. The Swoosh (so far only partly) comes off, possibly caused by players heating their boots ahead of games.
CR7's hot water trick could cause the brandings to come off
CR7 is well-known for his hot water trick to break in boots faster, which could cause the brandings to come off.
Cristiano Ronaldo also cut off the collar of his Nike Mercurial Superfly boots, which is greatly visible in the pictures.
Ten years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was also not happy with the collar of the Nike Mercurial Superfly boots. Back then, Nike provided CR7 with a customized version of the Superfly with a lower collar. Today, Cristiano Ronaldo has to cut off the collar himself.
Performance-wise, there are apparently no problems with the Nike Mercurial Dream Speed 8 cleats - CR7 scored two hattricks in the first two games wearing them.
Nike Has Also Messed Up With Its Collars
Nike's Germany deal is the big exception
Nike also lost several important deals, including the ball supplier deals with Serie A, La Liga, Premier League, Copa America, and Copa Libertadores. The big exception is the deal signed with Germany.
What do you think of Nike's recent development in football? Let us know in the comments below.
