Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
In 2015, Nike launched the first of seven exclusive “CR7 Chapters” and today the collection is complete! In total, there were actually 8 boots released (yes, there was a bonus pair along the way) that depict the life story of Cristiano Ronaldo, told through his goal scoring weapons. Each version details a specific part of his career, from the beginning right through to current day. Given his stature within the game, this is a truly awesome way to recognize a remarkable career as it happens. No, you can’t do it for every player, but it is such a fun way to honor a GOAT. Through the entire collection I’ve been wondering just what is going to be next to grace the feet of Ronaldo.
Here, we run through the entire collection with details on what each represents. Make sure to let us know in the comments which design was your favorite!
Chapter 1: Savage Beauty
The introductory lava-inspired print took its cues from Madeira, the volcanic Portuguese island where CR7 was born. Savage Beauty is one of the most intricate designs Nike has ever produced on a pair of boots. Perfect for telling the tale of where it began for one of the greatest to ever grace the game. A collaboration between Nike’s World Headquarters and its expert artisans in Montebelluna, Italy, the vibrant, six-color graphic flows from toe to heel to accentuate Ronaldo’s speed.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 2: Natural Diamonds
Chapter 2 focuses on Ronaldo’s move away from home as a child to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Ronaldo has called leaving home at the age of 12 the “most difficult part of my career so far.” For the first time, Nike textured the heel of a Mercurial for this boot. It is designed to look rocky and rough, representing those early years away from home when Ronaldo was refining his game to show the promise of the player he would become. As the boot transitions to the forefoot, it smoothens out, analogous again to Ronaldo’s journey and development.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 3: Discovery
To mark the moment of his discovery, Chapter 3 featured colors inspired by his original club while the neon accents represented his shining talent to standout on the biggest stage. Chronicling Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon and his mentorship by Sir Alex Ferguson, Chapter 4 represents the forging of one of the game’s greats. The lateral side features silver dot graphics, as well as a subtle reflective wave design as a nod to the Mercurial Vapor I boots he wore in 2003.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 4: Forged for Greatness
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. The design is a nod to hot iron being forged into shape. Molten-esque orange and red gradients on the plate transition into metallic tones of the color-shifting upper.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 5: Cut to Brilliance
Cut to Brilliance tells the story of Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid and what has happened since. In the summer of 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo joined his current club for what was then a world record transfer fee of £80 million (€94 million). At least 80,000 fans showed up to welcome his move from Manchester to Madrid. The upper includes multi-color knit details that mimic the multitude of colors that diamonds refract. On the medial side of the boot, a textured CR7 logo provides a tactile representation of the diamond graphic, while the heel counter provides a top-down view of a brilliant-cut diamond accompanied by the date of Ronaldo’s Madrid debut.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 6: Born Leader
Chapter 6 focuses on Ronaldo’s role as the captain of his national team. As such, the palette of the boot complements Portugal’s traditional colors. “When you play for your country you want to win, you want to defend your colors,” confirms Ronaldo. There is a lot of detailing that makes these just that extra bit special, including;
- A nod to Portugal’s historical sea exploration lies within the Swoosh. On the lateral side of the heel, the captain’s “C” is incorporated into a raised applique of the sphere (an armillary sphere graphic is also featured on the boot bag).
- Black at the collar blends to hyper jade toward the sole making these the first Mercurial 360 boots to feature more than one knit color. The cross on the heel tab ties back to the cross within the Portugal National Team collection.
- The cross pattern underfoot the Mercurial 360 is aligned with the pattern on Portugal’s new away jersey.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 6: Edição Especial
In 154 games for his country, Ronaldo has netted more goals than any European player in history. This special Mercurial Superfly 360, a rare alternate colorway of his Chapter 6 boots, honors his extraordinary legacy. In addition to the boots Ronaldo wore, one 154 pairs were made available worldwide. LIMITED! All of the signature detailing on the boot falls in line with what is found on Born Leader, just with a more exclusive color palette.
Release Details HERE.
Chapter 7: Built on Dreams
The final iteration, Chapter 7, is the culmination of the storytelling and pays homage to the player’s number 7 in the forefoot graphic, and also nods to the memorable carbon fiber boots of the past. Future players will be built on dreams, just as CR7’s complete story was. This is a boot that pays homage to the hard work and dedication those players will have to put in to succeed.
Release Details HERE.
If you want in on the final chapter, they are now available at soccer.com.
