Ronaldo Nazário's Chrome Mercurials are back
After announcing the re-issue of the Total 90 III, Nike has entered its nostalgic era
Sports
November 27th, 2024
November 27th, 2024
“They are the boots symbolizing one of the greatest legends of football, Ronaldo Nazário. I can't wait to try them in the upcoming matches; I hope to score as many goals as R9 did with these” said Vinicius Jr., a Nike athlete for eleven years and the selected ambassador for the re-issue of the Mercurial Vapor in the Chrome colorway by the Swoosh, which seems to have fully embraced the nostalgic trend. The Mercurial Chrome is one of the most iconic models in the history of football boots designed by the Beaverton company. Although Ronaldo Nazário had already played the 1998 World Cup in France with the first Mercurials, it was the 2002 World Cup in South Korea—won by Brazil—that cemented this line.
On that occasion, the striker took the field wearing the Chrome Mercurial, opening the gates of paradise for a brand that forcefully entered the boot market, which until then had been dominated by competitors like adidas, PUMA, and Umbro. Nike also managed to impose its style, which would characterize the brand for the entire following decade, developing concepts similar to those used for some of its most famous sneakers: speed, aerodynamics, experimentation, and futuristic features. This approach marked a clear difference compared to adidas, a brand more closely tied to classic silhouettes and less oriented towards innovation and experimentation.
Originally inspired by the speed of sports cars, the Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN Chrome was designed to blend into its environment: camera flashes, packed stadiums, and perfect football fields. A reference to Ronaldo inside the tongue further highlights the heritage weight of this boot. “The chrome colorway with neon green details creates a truly perfect combination” said Vini Jr. “Naturally, the R9 detail on the tongue is a standout feature. This detail makes the boots so unique and special, I consider them a tribute to the greatness of O Fenômeno.”
