A LITTLE BIT of our childhood died today with the news Adidas are to discontinue their best-loved boots – the Predators.
The range, which first came onto the market in 1994, included various models and were certainly the must have piece of kit for many of us who graced the pitches up and down the country.
Here, we look at eights boots which were in high demand the moment they hit the shelves. Brace yourselves for a trip down memory lane…
Adidas Copa Mundial
Vintage.
These Copa Mundials are widely regarded as the best-selling boot of all time and 36 years after their first release, you can still pick-up a pair in your local sports store. And, a coach’s favourite.
Nike Air Zoom Total 90 II
The one and only Total 90s. There were the boot in the early 2000s as they aimed to ‘maximise comfort’ with Wayne Rooney and Luis Figo among a host of players to model them.
Umbro Speciali ’92
Not one of the heavyweights but Umbro pulled a classic out of the bag with The Speciali range. Many models and versions have been produced but the originals remain the best.
Diadora
It was perhaps a rarity to see a pair of these down the local park but Roy Keane’s Diadoras were iconic nonetheless.
Nike Air Mercurial
These were the Ronaldo boots. Designed for the Brazilian striker for the 1998 World Cup, they quickly became popular and made a splash with the blue and yellow colourway.
Puma King
Another boot which stood the test of time. Perhaps not the most stylish model on the market but they did what they said on the tin – light, tough and worn by the King himself; Pelé.
Nike Tiempo
The Tiempo boot first sprung to prominence during the 1994 World Cup, during which Paolo Maldini and Romario sported the nifty new model. They’ve evolved down the years but the design has hardly changed with the big swoosh emblazoned down the side and NIKE writing on the heal.
That fold-over tongue, though – revolutionary.
Adidas Predator Mania
An absolute classic. If you weren’t lucky enough to own a pair of Predators, they were the one pair you would always restate your love for when Christmas or birthdays were approaching.
Worn by icons such as Zidane and Beckham, the Mania was the boot which dominated the 2002 World Cup.
Have we missed any boots and which boots did you wear as a kid?
Mental ability is what separates great from very good in sport. There are many “athletes” out there in any sport but the ones who separate themselves are the ones with the mental ability others don’t have.Whether it’s intelligence, awareness or work ethic, it’s that last 5% that leads to greatness. Xavi, Brady, Schumacher, Ali, or Redgrave they all have that 5% upstairs.
Just look at the NFL, lots of physical “freaks” natural or not, but how many really make it and why. Xavi is one of the best footballers I’ve ever seen. Barca scores 9 goals when I saw them, 3 disallowed but I swear he assisted all of them. A legend.
“And Mark Lawrenson”
The greatest central midfielder of a generation. One of the most complete players we have seen
I remember stuff from before I could walk but If you told me your phone number I’d forget the start of it before you got to the end.