Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
Puma is looking to the Future by celebrating the next generation of player with a limited edition boot release. Welcome in the FUTURE NEXT 18.1, featuring a graphic inspired by the journey a player takes from the local street pitches of their neighborhoods to the grass floored arenas of legends. Featuring a combo of White/Green Gecko through the upper, this is a boot designed to stand-out on pitch. There are only 350 pairs released worldwide, with those available in the US found at soccer.com.
We have seen brands use this strategy with huge success in the past (most notably the Nike Academy Pack) so it is refreshing to see Puma worship heroes of the future. In fact, it could prove to be a big marketing win with younger players that want in on what next generation pros are wearing.
In terms of performance, you are getting everything you expect from the tech advanced Puma Future 18.1 NetFit series. Puma focuses on a lace system (NetFit) that allows players to truly define the fit of the boot around their foot. The NetFit system is the net that runs around the upper of the boot, you can see it in the images. Basically, there are areas where the net is separated from the upper and you can use these areas to run your laces through, creating a wildly different type of fit as you pull the laces and tighten them. Depending on how crazy you want to get, you can create dramatically unique fits with the ability to specifically enhance tension in a particular area.
There are six next generation players, who have received the first pairs of FUTURE NEXT, as they take the journey from the street pitch to the top level.
Allan Saint-Maximin – NICE and FRANCE U21’s
A natural born street football player, that’s what Allan Saint-Maximin (born in 1997) is. But to become the rising star he is today, he had to polish his game, from a rough diamond to a jewel, from the streets of the suburbs of Paris to the French First Division. Still fast, skilled and provocative, Saint-Maximin is the incarnation of the Next Generation mantra: from the street to the pitch.
Mahmoud Dahoud – BORUSSIA DORTMUND and GERMANY U21’s
You don’t choose where you were born, but you can fight for what you want. This could sum up Mahmoud Dahoud’s (born in 1996) life. Born in Syria, near the Turkish borders, the midfielder came to Germany with his family aged 1. It’s here, in the streets of Reusrath, that the young kid kicked his first ball. Since then, he has become one of the most exciting young players in the world.
Giovani Lo Celso – PSG and ARGENTINA
More is not always best. The people of Rosario, Argentina’s 3rd biggest city, know this better than anyone. A true breeding-ground of football talents, the town of the district of Santa Fé has always had geniuses running in its streets. The latest is Giovani Lo Celso (born in 1996), he grew up kicking the ball on these dusty roads and made his way through to every Argentinian kids dream, the national team.
Joel Latibeaudiere – MANCHESTER CITY and ENGLAND U18’s
Captain of the cup winning England U17’s squad last summer, Manchester City’s Joel Latibeaudiere (born in 2000) is well on track to becoming one of the most exciting and talented defenders of his generation. His elegance and confidence on the ball are all traits learnt from the street pitches of his younger playing days.
Simone Edera – TORINO and ITALY U21’s
Born and raised in Turin, Simone Edera (Born 1997) would play on the street pitches of the city in his replica Torino shirt dreaming of playing for the ‘I Granata’. 13 years on and Edera is fast becoming a home town hero in the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Koya Kitagawa – SHIMIZU S-PULSE
In Shizuoka, Japan, Koya Kitagawa (born in 1996) grew-up gazing at the impressive Mount Fuji, knowing that he would need to work hard to climb to the top. Impressively skilled, the young Japanese did it as he went from the Shizuoka streets to the S-Pulse first team.
Find the Limited Edition FUTURE NEXT right now at soccer.com.
