Nikesoccer

Introducing Nike Soccer+

DonJulio — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:21:46 GMT

Nike Soccer+ is a killer combination of our premium boots, pro training programs and access to the world’s top coaches and footballers. It’s simple - buy the boot and you get a code. Enter the code to unlock Elite soccer training and a year of improvement.

It all kicks off with the new CTR360. Buy the boot and get 4-weeks’ Elite control Training including video drills from FC Barcelona, skill challenges featuring Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta, and tips from Pep Guardiola.

Accuracy and Speed Elite Training are up next.

Become the complete player.

Reporter At Large

adamspangler — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:43:30 GMT

Close your eyes. Imagine being on the sidelines of FC Barcelona game. Hero after hero zips passed you like super cars on a test track. Then everything slows down. Take it all in. The whistle blows, and your head swirls. There is nothing quite like watching a game from the same eye level as the players. Forget video games, here among the giants, you are in the game. Afterward, it's the players' press conference, and you get to ask a question. As far as reporting assignments go, it's once in a lifetime stuff to tell the grandkids about.

Nike sent one lucky reader to San Francisco to live the dream during FCB's preseason US tour. Given Barcelona's early season success, it might end up being the beginning of a historic season.

Detroit native and college student Miguel Alfonso Layton, 20, wants to be a journalist and used to be an all conference high school soccer player--a better combination of interests for the winner could not be found, not to mention he's a huge FCB fan. Armed with a video camera and voice recorder, Miguel lived the dream for a day and filed two reports. The first is below.

It was one thing to be on my first trip across the country to California. But to experience my favorite team, FC Barcelona, play a match in person for the first time. Well, it's really indescribable. But I will do my best.

San Francisco was incredible and a trip that I will never forget. I got more than I could ask for and enjoyed every second of it. From the moment I arrived at the hotel, I was up close and personal with the best players in the world. I happened to arrive at the hotel at the same time as FCB, and as they walked by I just stood in awe less than two feet away from my heroes. I even got a few high-fives and hand shakes.

Not a bad beginning, but it was, after all, one of the best weekends of my life. I could not sleep the first night because I was so excited to go to a closed training session the next day. It was as if I blinked and tomorrow was there. I arrived at the training session to find the FCB personnel and maybe five members of the media. It was remarkable the exclusive access I got, watching how they trained and getting a chance to be there with the players on a tangible level, eye-to-eye. I got to see their personalities, which was one of the most unique things about my trip. On TV, in interviews, even in the stadium, those moments are elusive. Carlos Puyol was serious and focused. Dani Alves was fun and spirited. And coach "Pep" was just awesome. During the very laid back training session I could see him strategizing with other coaches, not letting a moment get lost. And I saw him rip a 30-yard shot upper 90. Yeah, that's the coach.

Then the game the following day: out of this world. I'm speechless and hope the video I filmed (see above) can fill in where my mind loses grip. I was on the end line the whole game, so close to the action. I wanted to put my boots on and jump in.

After the game at the press conference I asked Pep: Given all the success you achieved last year, what do you need to do to repeat the success? He laughed and said that the treble is a once in a lifetime thing, but they would play hard all year and be in position to win more trophies.

I hope to be a sports writer some day, and now I've got some serious motivation to do the same in my life. I want once in a lifetime to come again.

Strike Fastest

adamspangler — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:41:08 GMT

Great players can Make the Difference almost immediately.

Within two minutes on Saturday, Ibrahimovic pulled off an audacious flick with the outside of his boot to spark a 5-2 rout of Atletico Madrid.

Zlatan doesn't do tap-ins.

Save the Ammunition for Camp Nou

adamspangler — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:26:37 GMT

What happens when two teams who make the difference face off against each other? 90 minutes are not enough.

FC Barcelona and Inter have taken up the gauntlet. The first attack in the Giuseppe Meazza stadium showed the mutual respect of the teams and tested their styles of playing.

The second attack will have to be backed up by their artillery.

The battle for Europe has begun.

Only As Good As Your Next Game

adamspangler — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:15:56 GMT

The most fascinating tournament is ready to start again. Teams are focused on the most precious cup. The first match is between two football powers, the winners of two of the most beautiful and difficult championships of the world. Inter Milan has won the last four Italian Championships and is ready to take its leading act into greater Europe. FC Barcelona conquered the cup last year while also taking the Spanish Championship and the Spanish Cup. But they aren't satisfied yet.

These are two of the most successful teams, but that doesn't make things any easier. Success is the result of hard work; you must always be prepared for future challenges, not thinking about past victories. The trip to Madrid has just begun

None Shall Pass

adamspangler — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:28:41 GMT

Clean sheet. Cherished words for a defender. But in your first game for the first-ever Spanish team to win the treble, they mean even more.

Dmytro Chygrynskiy's towering performance at centre back helped Barcelona shut out Getafe and continue their 100 percent start. The Ukrainian's already got his sight's set on the next game.

Train for 95-minute fitness

DonJulio — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:10:19 GMT

Push it every day in training. Give more than you think you’ve got. Because one day, when everyone else has run out of steam, your chance will come.

Like Zlatan’s injury-time strike against Hungary. It won the game. It keeps Sweden’s qualification hopes alive. And it proves the difference is made in training.

Can he do it against Malta tomorrow? Only a win will do.

Always Hungry

DonJulio — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:46:43 GMT

Winning the European and Spanish Super Cup stands for more than just two additional titles for F.C. Barcelona. It’s the sound of a Champion of making history and a gauntlet being thrown to their European rivals.
But a champion never tires of victory. So Barca are already letting go of their incredible ‘triple’ just so they can start from scratch… and do it all over again.

Like they never won anything.

That’s the hunger. That’s the difference.

Victories are history. Glory lies ahead.

Victorious from the start

crowlala — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:10:56 GMT

From the training pitch to their first trophy, the season has yet to kick off and Barca have already claimed the Spanish Super Cup.

Zlatan's arrival and Guardiola's intensive pre-season training has so far proved lethal. The pride of Barcelona knows exactly what it takes to win and they’ll stop at nothing to win it all.

Rooftop Dedication

Gronamo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:22:23 GMT

Nearly 1000 FCB fans turned up Thursday night to watch current champions of Europe and Spain publically unveil a new futsal court on the roof of the Montablan Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

Nike and the LA84 Foundation partnered to create the new community rooftop court as part of a commitment to build and/or refurbish 84 playgrounds throughout Los Angeles. Nike and LA84 - a group dedicated to serving youth through sport - believe the new surfaces will rejuvenate the community by giving kids safe places to lead healthy, active lives.

The event was hosted by Max Bretos & Patricia Lopez and featured special guest Mia hamm, Alexander Skarsgard & Gilles Marini. Fans watched the team play a game of 3 v 3 with celebrities and also engaged in Q & A session.

FCB is stateside for thier preseason US tour consisting of a series of friendly matches in LA, Seattle & San Francisco.

Zlatan to reign in Spain

crowlala — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:09:56 GMT

Europe’s hottest striker has swapped Inter Milan for Barcelona.

Zlatan would improve any team in the world. Just imagine what he’ll do to the first ever team to achieve a Spanish treble.

Last season’s top scorer in Serie A, this season’s top scorer in La Liga?

Have your say on the Nike Football Facebook Page.

T-90 Ascente Testing – Barcelona

crowlala — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:14:54 GMT

Date: 28.01.09
Location: Ciutat Esportiva
Weather conditions: Clear blue skies, no wind, sunny. Temperature of 15C.
Pitch conditions: Short grass (1.5cm). Good conditions. Pitch was sprayed 10 minutes before training.
Players and staff: The full squad took part, except Gai Yigaal Assulin. Head Coach Luis Enrique led the session.

Tester’s notes:

Warm, clear skies. Perfect conditions. Balls filled to 11psi.

Team session: Running with ball in pairs. Short passes. Headers, chests, volleys. Busquets, coached the keepers: “The touch is perfect.”

Accuracy contest: all players on 16 metre line. Who can land the ball in the centre circle? Puyol took it. Who can hit the cross bar, repeatedly? Iniesta walked away with this one. They say he always does. I like to think the ball helped. Massip: “There’s no wobble, the ball goes straight at its target.”

Shooting session: led by Assistant Coach Joan Barbara Mata: “The ball bends nicely when you shoot.” Next stop Arsenal.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

We are European Champions. We are One.

gabejazzy — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:46:32 GMT

Barcelona strode into the Stadio Olimpico, on a mission to become Europe’s greatest. Led by Iniesta, they claimed every ball in midfield,
virtually passing Man Utd into submission as they took down another of the giants of the game.

Lifting the greatest prize in club soccer means that in Pep Guardiola’s first season as manager, Barcelona have become the first Spanish team
ever to win the treble of the league title, the Copa del Rey and now Europe’s biggest prize.

Barcelona were never just 11 on the pitch. Instead, Europe’s finest came together on the night that mattered most.

And, now you have a chance to get the latest jersey of one of the world's most dominant clubs: FC Barcelona.

More than a Club

Gronamo — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:24:26 GMT

The shirt label says it all: “More than a club.” FC Barcelona’s new 2009/10 home and away kits have been designed to inspire the kind of football the club’s famous for – spirited, passionate and oozing Catalan pride.

The home kit flies the club’s famous colors – the Atlantic blue with deep red vertical stripes now bordered with a thin yellow stripe. The Catalan flag, the Senyera, is stamped onto the back of the shirt collar, while the socks have "Barça" emblazoned on the calf.

The away kit is designed to reflect the gleaming Mediterranean. The shirt is bright mango, the shorts that familiar blue. Made to order for a team that fields some of the world’s most dazzling players.

An Empire Will Rise, an Empire Will Fall

gabejazzy — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:40:54 GMT

In Rome on May 27, two football empires will collide. This season Manchester United and Barcelona won their league, both are playing for a third major trophy. And both have a rich history in Europe’s premier club competition.

Barcelona is the only team to play in every year of European competition since they started in 1955. At 11, they have the most consecutive wins in the competition. And this year they’re on for a treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Europe’s greatest prize. All in Pep Guardiola’s first season as manager.

Manchester United have played in every year of European competition since 1994. In 1999 they won a treble, claiming the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe’s greatest prize. And this year they’re on to become the first team to successfully defend their European crown. All increasing the strain on Sir Alex Ferguson’s already heaving trophy cabinet.

So who will take glory in Rome?