Mizuno’s fashion icons and good guys: The footballers drawn to a Japanese brand’s revolution

When it comes to delivering innovation and style on the football pitch, Mizuno has consistently proven itself as a brand that stands out. But the Japanese manufacturer has not just attracted the sport’s most innovative minds to the boardroom, they’ve also drawn in a raft of players, who adopt the same mentality.

Brothers Rihachi and Rizo Mizuno founded the first store in Osaka, Japan, in 1906, having been inspired by the growing sports culture in the United States. The first product was a set of tight-fitted, leather cleats, forming a footballing tradition that has come to define the term ‘Made in Japan’, more than 117 years later.

The southern provinces of Japan surrounding Osaka still hold an attachment to the Mizuno brand, with the region’s greatest footballers having all donned the famous ‘runbird’ logo during their playing careers.

Osaka’s greatest export and 2013 Asia Footballer of the Year, midfielder Keisuke Honda, was continually loyal to Mizuno, having been the face of the brand for most of the 2010s, releasing his iconic ‘Gold World Cup’ Wave Ignitus IIIs.

The superstar shifted to a pair of blue Rebulas in 2017, to match the colours of his new A-League side Melbourne Victory. The Honda influence in Australia was pivotal in Ultra Football having become the first store to sell Mizuno’s entire range in the country.

Other prominent Japanese footballers that regularly wear Mizuno’s collection include Premier League champion Shinji Okazaki (Mizuno Morelia) and former Ange Postecoglou star recruit Reo Hatate (Mizuno Morelia Neo), who both originate from Osaka. This also extends to the women’s game in Japan, including Remina Chiba, who starred for the Samurai Blue at the latest FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Mizuno has reflected the personality of those afore mentioned; tireless, quietly achieving, and highly respected. However, to highlight how far the Mizuno ideals have shifted recently, it’s worth looking at the new regions where the brand has seemed to have culturally broken through, along with the business’ new poster boy.

Legendary Spanish central-defender Sergio Ramos has never been described as ‘quietly achieving’. The now Sevilla defender has accrued a reputation of ‘heavy metal’ defending, en-route to 11 FIFA Team of the Years, 5 LaLiga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League crowns, and a FIFA Men’s World Cup.

Mizuno are prepared to go all-in on Ramos, having introduced a clothing line, to complement a set of Alpha and Morelia Neo boots, with the player’s life story documented on the box. The brand has a new audience, with Mizuno targeting the stylish side of Spanish and Latin American football.

The Mizuno collection now focuses on the personality of the player off the pitch, as much as on the pitch.

Sergio Ramos has his critics for the aggressive style of play, but off the field the Spaniard is nothing but a family man. A goodwill ambassador for non-profit charity organisation UNICEF, Ramos donated over $1 million USD in 2020 to help families in need during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

His compatriot, former Arsenal speedster turned fashion icon Hector Bellerin is another Mizuno player that exerts a flashy exterior yet possesses a warm heart. The defender was named ‘Football’s Most Stylish Player’ by VOGUE and has walked the runway for Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week.

However, week to week, Bellerin will match the green and white stripes of his Real Betis uniform with his all-white Mizuno Morelia Neo III.

Bellerin is also not afraid to make his views heard, having been a strong advocate for environmental issues, campaigner for the LGBTQIA+ community and the first male footballer to support female star Jenni Hermoso, despite the potential risk of national team exile.

Other well-known stars who turned their back on the established boot manufacturers, include former Ballon D’Or winner Kaka, who spent the latter years of his career playing in the original Mizuno Morelia Neos. Gianfranco Zola was perhaps the first European to introduce Mizuno to the continent, wearing black Mizuno Wave Cup boots during his 8 seasons with Chelsea.

Fernando Torres played in the Morelia Neo II during his time in Japan, while Brazilian legend Rivaldo helped guide Brazil to glory at the 2002 FIFA Men’s World Cup with his signature Mizuno Wave Cup.

The list could not be complete without mentioning two Australian internationals, with Socceroos defender Aziz Behich flying the Mizuno flag during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, playing all 4 matches in his Mizuno Morelia Neo III. 

 

If it wasn’t for the last ditch defending from Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez, those red Morelia Neos would have become synonymous for one of the great World Cup goals, as Behich danced through several of the La Albiceleste before being blocked just as his shot left the right boot. 

Friend of Ultra and one of the coolest players around, Alex Chidiac, now playing for Tigres, is also one to watch, and she wears the Morelia Neo IV. 

Keen to get some Mizuno football boots on your feet? Get the latest drops in stores or online at ultrafootball.com now.