1998-2018, Nike is ready to celebrate twenty years of the Mercurials

In 2018, it will be twenty years after the launch of the first Nike Mercurial. And if we are here to talk about it after twenty years, this already gives the dimension of how they have become one of the most iconic shoes in football. The premise of becoming a classic was all there: the original Mercurial was launched at the France '98 World Cup, worn by a certain Ronaldo.

Nike often has fun in quoting, mixing and redefining historical models adapting to modern football, and in 2013 created the Nike Mercurial Vapor, a hybrid that reconciled the sparkling design of the original ones with Vapor's lightness. In 2018 Nike plans to celebrate Mercurial's twenty years: a new version of Mercurial Superfly V and Vapor XI will be launched dedicated to Mercurial originals, specifically designed for Neymar's feet. Same unmistakable waves, same racer-blue and volt combination with yellow details, with the addition of black for lace and brandings. Precious inside joke: inside the shoe, there will be the distinct print of Mercurial Vapor VIII, model worn by Neymar when he played at Santos.