Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
Given his Champions League final performance at the weekend, it seems like a really good time to profile Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest signature boot. Chapter 4 in the CR7 storyline comes with the tag “Forged For Greatness” and celebrates the transformation years in Ronaldo’s career. Visually, it features a dynamic transition fade from Molten Red around the lip to Metallic Silver with shades of blue mixed in on top.
Of all 4 boots released in the Nike Mercurial Superfly “Chapter” series to date, this one has the most notable visual appearance. The official colorway is listed as Cool Grey/Wolf Grey/Total Crimson. But there is so much more to the design, with an iridescent glow adding a different look depending on the angle you take while looking at the upper. It is a wild effect that offers hues of light blue and violet across the primary metallic gleam.
On the lateral side, Nike also add a signature CR7 logo, with the 7 offering the most specific visual effect in a silver color. On the heel, a light VII is added to signify Ronaldo’s signature #7. It all comes together in spectacular fashion, like as if a player in silver boots has walked across hot coals and brought serious heat to the bottom of the boot.
Find the “Chapter 4: Forged For Greatness Superfly” at soccer.com.
Chapter 4: Forged For Greatness looks to celebrate the transformation years in Ronaldo’s career. On August 12 2003, 18 year-old Cristiano Ronaldo arrived in Manchester, England to join his new team. He expected to wear number 28 as he had with his previous club, but his iconic manager had other ideas. “Alex Ferguson said to me: ‘Listen, I want you to take number seven,’” recalls Ronaldo. “I was surprised because I knew the guys who had worn that shirt.” Ronaldo quickly proved himself worthy of the seven shirt and forged his game and physique during his years in Manchester.
As far as performance on the fifth generation Superfly goes, Nike leveraged data-informed texture mapping to create a Flyknit “speed rib” 3D texture upper. The raised surface provides added friction between the surface of your foot and the ball. These ribs range in thickness from 1 millimeter to 2.5 millimeters, giving you an idea of how much definition runs through the forefoot. On this edition, they have integrated some white knit to create a more dynamic effect across the side of the boot, with a snow cap design along the front of the upper.
Size wise, they will more naturally fit players with a narrow foot, that has been a common feature of the Mercurial series. But the inclusion of a Flyknit upper means they have some give and can actually accommodate a wider fit. Let me clarify some more here by stating that they don’t sit alongside the top wide fitting market options; they are simply the most accommodating Superfly release we have seen to date.
Is it just me, or has Ronaldo’s game stepped up a complete gear since Nike decided to tell his story through boots??? Chapter 1 was released in October 2015, and since that time he has won back to back Champions Leagues, a Euro Championship, the La Liga title and a FIFA World Club cup. That is a seriously impressive haul in a short amount of time. Plus he is the current Ballon d’Or title.
Given his performance on Saturday, with 2 goals and a downright nasty display of strength and talent, this is a boot that will definitely exist alongside one of his most inspired performances to date. Forged For Greatness by name, and he lived up to the billing!
Find the entire Chapter 4 series available at soccer.com.
