If there’s one thing that Nike is in no way lacking, it is history. Decades of innovative products and ideas are backed up by the legends that helped make it happen on and off the field. The list of Nike’s athletes and their respective accomplishments over the years is simply astonishing. As such, the sportswear giant typically does not need an excuse to recall the past by fusing classic design with cutting-edge product.
Nike channels O Fenomeno in latest Mercurial Vapor release
For their latest Mercurial Vapor colorway, Nike have done just that. The brand new Nike Mercurial Vapor IX SE recalls the boot silo’s silver, blue, and yellow origins by recreating a classic and highly sought after look.
In 1998, Nike created a brand new boot for Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, also known as Ronaldo or "O Fenomeno," to wear at the World Cup in France. 15 years ago, the norm in football footwear was very much black-and-white. Anything else was considered to be too "flash." The shiny silver boots with bright blue swirls and sharp yellow accents that Ronaldo wore were something that instantly caught the eyes of all those watching.
15 years later, the Nike Mercurial Vapor is still making a visual splash on the pitch, as shown by the Vapor IX’s fireberry launch colorway. Nike’s VP of Football Footwear, Phil McCartney, discussed the decision before the new
“Ronaldo’s impact on the game 15 years ago was immense, and in the run up to 2014, we wanted to celebrate that boot and the man himself. We thought a modern construction of his 1998 boot would be a great commemoration of that moment.”
“In the years since the first Mercurial boot was created, modern construction has allowed for a more refined way of making boots. For example, the original version of this boot was constructed of multiple materials stitched together. This version is a one-piece, seamless upper as per other Nike Vapor Mercurial IX editions.”
The Vapor IX SE features all of the innovations that both of the launch colorways did.
See More:
