It’s the game within the game. Every four years, ‘football boot nerds’ anticipate new launches from the major boot brands.
Every boot is freshened up and a new version released in a specific World Cup colourway, often as part of a pack that carbon-dates a tournament in the minds of true enthusiasts.
The most lucrative players – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now, David Beckham and Ronaldo in days gone by – are treated to bespoke versions. For most, it’s straight into the lead colourways for the duration of the tournament and then a new one in time for August.
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Michael Olise is a creative exception boot enthusiasts can love
Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, who is ranked at no.4 in FourFourTwo's list of the best right-wingers in the world right now, doesn’t seem to be interested in fitting in when standing out is an option.
The former Premier League player is shining in a France shirt at the World Cup but eagle-eyed boot lovers will be neither unaware nor surprised that his footwear is different than what might be expected.
“Olise should be every football boot nerd’s favourite player right now,” says boot expert Subomi Kushanu.
“He completely disrupts the status quo when it comes to the professional game. He’s famously worn the [Nike] Hypervenom Phantom 3 since his days at Reading and hasn’t signed a deal with a brand like a player of his status usually would just so he can continue wearing them.”
Ordinarily, the major boot brands put their contracted players in the latest boot. That’s what they’re paid for and it doesn’t much matter whether the colours clash with their team kits or wouldn’t be the same ones a player would buy.
It’s a compromise between control and cash, and Olise appears to be willing to prioritise the former. These are the tools of his trade, after all.
By opting out of a boot deal thus far, Olise could be leaving lots of money on the table. The Bayern man is surely in demand as his career goes from strength to strength.
Notwithstanding the obvious fact that he’s effectively a free agent and will command a huge deal should he ever decide to accept one, it’s estimated that the top players can pull in £2 million or more a year.
Olise would easily qualify for that bracket, while a negotiating brand might seek to benchmark him against international teammate Kylian Mbappe, whose 10-year Nike deal is understood to be worth around £1.4 million each year.
The London-born 24-year-old would also have to sacrifice his style freedom, albeit with the benefit of his boots being supplied rather than having to be tracked down.
“Since Nike discontinued this boot in 2018, he’s actually had to go out of his way to source them off resellers on Instagram,” adds Kushanu.
“Famously, he matches the colourway of the boot with the kit he’s wearing each matchday.”
That’s why Olise has played in blue, white or mint green Hypervenom boots throughout the World Cup, which has otherwise been a sea of electric pink.
You have to say that’s magnificent.
