Around The Grounds #7

It was a massive week in football. The Premier League returned, Ligue 1 was at it's crazy best and worst with Le Classique boiling over into chaos with 5 late red cards, as new Puma man Neymar rocked the KING Platinum release for the first time. Football, bloody hell. We love it. 

Neymar - Puma KING Platinum

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A post shared by ene10ta Érre 🇧🇷 👻 neymarjr (@neymarjr) on Sep 12, 2020 at 11:07am PDT

Where else to star? The KING is back! Following in the footsteps of his idol Pele, Neymar has made a big money move away from Nike and will likely finish his career in the brand some of the games all-time greats have worn. Think Maradona, Cruyff and of course Pele. Now it’s Neymar’s chance to elevate the Big Cat to new levels and we can’t wait to see what products come out of it down the track.

Were we surprised he chose the KING Platinum? Yes. But we love it because we have been massive fans of the updated model, it's lightest version ever, since it came out. It’s a truly iconic silo which will get some much-deserved attention once again, whether it’s a long term silo for Neymar or not is another story. We wouldn’t be surprised if we see him make the switch to the Ultra or Future one day.

Alejandro Gomez - adidas Predator 19.1 ADV

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A post shared by ıllıllı Papu Gomez ıllıllı (@papugomez_official) on Sep 12, 2020 at 9:52am PDT

Any excuse for some Papu content. We love him. You should to. If you haven’t been tuning in to some of his games – get some in this season as he goes round again for Atalanta, turning down some big money offers from the middle east to try and push the Bergamo club to even loftier heights this season. Recognise the boots? They are the Predator 19.1 ADV’s we released last year – one of our favourite boots we’ve ever released at Ultra. A highlight from 2019. 

Thiago Alcântara - Mizuno Morelia Neo II

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A post shared by Fc Bayern Munchen (@munchenfcb) on Sep 12, 2020 at 9:31am PDT

We’re all about this move. One of the games most natural players, hell, maybe the most natural behind Lionel Messi, is rocking a brand close to our hearts – Mizuno. We’ve been saying it for years, the attention to detail and quality of Mizuno MIJ (Made In Japan) boots is second to none. No one comes close. Don’t be scared off by the price tag – the feedback we get from players who try Mizuno is that they will never go back to anyone else. Will Thiago say the same? Let’s wait and see. It would be a massive coup for the Japanese brand. One for the purists.

Romelu Lukaku - Nike Phantom GT

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A post shared by Romelu Lukaku (@romelulukaku) on Sep 11, 2020 at 9:50am PDT

One comes, one goes for Puma Football. Romelu Lukaku was seen rocking the launch colourway of the all-new and stunning white Phantom GT at training for Inter, signalling the end of his time with Puma as he returns to Nike. It’s a big signing for Nike when you consider the firepower on show with the new GT’s. Lukaku, Kane and Lewandowski could all easily be top scorers in their respective leagues. You wouldn’t bet against it.

Wilfried Zaha - Mercurial Vapor XIII 

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A post shared by @wilfriedzaha on Sep 12, 2020 at 9:58am PDT

We thought to ourselves that Wilfried Zaha just had to score in the Mercurial Vapor XIII from the Mbappé Rosa pack as he took the field against Southampton - and score he did, doing those beautiful boots justice. A flashy option for a flashy player, we just love seeing the Vapor on pitch. While Mbappé’s Superfly option is sold out, you can still add the Vapor version to your game. Be quick though – a release like this doesn’t stick around long.

Sadio Mané - New Balance Furon Pro

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A post shared by Sadio Mane (@sadiomaneofficiel) on Sep 3, 2020 at 7:01am PDT

New Balance is back at Ultra Football with the latest Ignite Hype pack looking top notch and off to a good start on pitch, with Sadio Mane rocking the new release. Sadio is notoriously superstitious so getting him in the latest boots has proved tricky for New Balance in the past. It’s was great to see him rocking the new Furon Pro boots in a winning start to Liverpool’s title defence against Leeds. Sadio didn’t get on the scoresheet but you know goals aren’t far away!

Aleksandar Kolarov - Puma Ultra 1.1 

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A post shared by Inter (@inter) on Sep 10, 2020 at 10:26am PDT

Dad's Army continues at Inter with Antonio Conte continuing to bring in veteran players over younger prospects like Sandro Tonali, a played looking destined for Inter before ending up at rivals Milan - a clear indication it is win or bust for Inter this season. Can Kolarov, an absolute warrior, continue to play at very high standards expected for yet another season on a quest for more trophies? We think so. Whether it's to the detriment of Inter's long term future remains to be seen. Catch him getting up and down the wing for Antonio Conte this season in Puma Ultra.   

Juventus 20/21 adidas Third Jersey

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A post shared by Juventus (@juventus) on Sep 13, 2020 at 4:48am PDT

It was Juve’s first game in their wild new orange and black third kit and after some initial shock, we’re into it. A club that needed rejuvenation in the summer after missing out on the Champions League yet again and losing their way in terms of sheer dominance in Serie A – this jersey goes a long way in terms of injecting a new wave of freshness, adding a never before seen look to a modernised Old Lady. Lead by the coolest manager in football, Andrea Pirlo, keep an eye on Dejan Kulusevski seen in the gram above. The boy can play!