Nikesoccer

Andrei Arshavin At The Wheel

crowlala — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:48:40 GMT

Sometimes the difference maker in a game doesn’t show up on the score sheet, but he always appears in the memories of those who bear witness to his artistry. In Russia’s 3-1 victory against Wales on Wednesday, Andrei Arshavin did both, displaying his footballing brilliance in the offensive half of the field the entire match and collecting the decisive assist for the first goal. Riding the Arsenal midfielder’s relentless attack, his nation is well positioned for a invitation to South Africa.

There is no part of a match Arshavin can not dominate. The road for any team to South Africa is strewn with obstacles, but for Russia, as long as their biggest star is driving, there always appears to be a path to victory.

From Being the Difference, to Making the Difference

DonJulio — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:14:25 GMT

Last November, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was wearing his Pink Mercurial Vapors when he scored the decisive goal in their match against Dynamo Kiev. A substitution that was the Difference in the 88th minute, securing Arsenal's advance into the Quarter Finals of Europe's elite competition.

Bendtner, who also plays for the Danish National Team, has a hearty resolve off the pitch as well.

This week, Nicklas and Team Rynkeby – a cycling team that supports Børnecancerfonden, a charitable foundation for children diagnosed with cancer – will auction his Pink Mercurial Vapors on eBay. All proceeds will go directly to this organization.

Nicklas and his Arsenal teammates have visited child cancer patients throughout England several times, and he quickly became an advocate for this cause.

“Our visits have touched me deeply. It is so hard for the whole family when children are affected by a disease like this. Therefore, it is also incredibly admirable, when organizations such as Børnecancerfonden takes on the responsibility for helping children with cancer,” says Bendtner.

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.

Luis Fabiano and Brazil are ready

DonJulio — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:48:35 GMT

Luis Fabiano knows that he faces tough opposition tonight. But whilst Argentina fight for qualification, Brazil just need a victory.

The pressure is on Argentina, and Brazil's centre forward is ready to pile it on. One goal could mean the difference, and qualification.

All eyes on Robinho

DonJulio — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:25:49 GMT

Brazil vs Argentina. Nations where great players are made. A game where great players must shine.

Seleção Brasileira are without Ronaldo and Ronaldinho for their upcoming game this weekend. But he has been here before. Since 2003, Robinho has been learning from the best, fighting to gain a first team spot within the world's most successful football nation. Six years of hard work, skill and the quickest feet to grace Brazil's flanks.

Brazil lead the group. Robinho is set to lead them to victory. The world is now paying attention.

Ronaldo’s Rebirth

DonJulio — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:59:14 GMT

All hands on deck and all eyes on one man. Every football fan in the world had a thought to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Spanish debut, and it would be understandable for even the consensus world player of the year to be a bit nervous. But if you tuned in for failure, you don’t know this coolest of competitors.

In the 35th minute, with the eyes of the world upon him, Ronaldo stepped to the penalty spot. A deep breadth, a swipe of a sleeve to catch the sweat from his face. Then no hesitation. A bullet barely caught on camera whizzed across the grass and passed the outstretched arms of a goal keeper who even guessed correctly, diving exactly where the ball had been. Past tense, had been. There was no stopping Ronaldo’s perfect penalty strike, and given the moment, perfect can’t pay it due justice.

Three and easy

DonJulio — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:15 GMT

Three minutes. That’s all Arshavin took to Make the Difference last night. Bursting off the bench, he slotted home his first goal of the season to send Arsenal marching into the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition.

A Hero In Training

Gronamo — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:36:01 GMT

The preseason is all about putting in the work, training hard to get ready for the season, but still people were worried when Milan lost eight consecutive games in the process. But their Brazilian duo, who have promised to be the difference makers in offense this season, came through for their team right when it mattered most.

A tumultuous off season in which leaders left has energized and empowered wunderkind Pato, who in the process of taking the offensive reigns up top for Milan has helped revitalize his countryman, Ronaldinho. Both have been killing it this off season and appear set to carry Milan. It didn't take long for the duo's hard work to pay off. Just about 30 minutes.

Ronaldinho played a knifing ball out front of the charging Pato who quickly caught up and coolly slipped the ball into corner of the net; 1-0

Twenty minutes later, after Milan conceded a goal, the magical duo were back at it again, with Ronaldinho carving up the midfield again before the ball found Pato again in the middle of the box with a point-blank shot on goal. You can't stop that: 2-1.

It looks so easy, but don't mistake the hard earned skill for some Brazilian birthright. The amount of practice Pato puts in is the difference between heroes and the merely talented. The 20-year-old now has 29 goals in 63 games for Milan, and this season is set the make the biggest difference yet. Grabbing two goals in the first game is a nice start.

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.

My Expectations are Greater than Yours

Gronamo — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:27:19 GMT

With Manchester conquered, it’s on to Madrid.

Now the world’s most expensive player has been unveiled before an 80,000-strong crowd, it’s on to business.

For every single screaming fan in the Bernabeu, that means just one thing - snatching the title from Barcelona.

The $130 million man is ready to launch his latest bid for supremacy wearing new, personally
tailored black Mercurial boots. Don’t bet against him.

USA Face Brazil in the Final

crowlala — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:01:32 GMT

It’s the final no-one expected. It’s the final some think is already decided. But nothing is ever that simple in international football.

This Sunday, Brazil and the USA play for the last piece of international silverware before next summer’s showpiece event.

It’s a chance for the Americans to prove they’re genuine contenders on the world stage after beating Spain.

It’s a chance for Brazil to prove their credentials for world football’s biggest prize next year in South Africa.

Who’ll take their chance?

Dempsey's Half-Century

Gronamo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:03:13 GMT

Clint Dempsey earned his 50th cap for the MNT the other night. That’s right, Deuce has been doing what he does best – fearlessly attacking defenses – for a half-century of national team matches.

Number 51 is right around the corner. On Saturday the US hosts Honduras at Soldier Field in Chicago. And along with his audacious, relentless attitude, Clint will bring another weapon to the pitch – a brand new pair of custom “Don’t Tread on Me” Mercurial Superfly boots, imprinted with the name of his baby daughter Elyse. (Design your own Mercurials here).

To ensure his 51st cap is a W, Dempsey has been putting in the hard hours on the training ground. We’re talking no excuses, sweat-dripping, all-out hustle. But, hard work is something Deuce is very familiar with – coming from the States, Deuce had to earn and re-earn his starting spot in the ever-cutthroat EPL. There are no gimmes on the top level.

The US vs. Honduras qualifier (ESPN, Saturday, 7PM CT) is a monumental one. Tune in and show Deuce and the boys some love.

Make Fast Your Friend

gabejazzy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:40:15 GMT

Vaporize your opponents with the new Mercurial Vapor FG, the fastest women’s boot Nike has ever put on the pitch. The Mercurial Vapor FG has a Teijin microfiber upper that adjusts to the contours of your foot, creating a perfect fit every time. And its streamlined construction makes it one of the lightest in the game. But don’t let its feather weight fool you – this cleat is as tough as they come, with covered lacing for an extra large ball strike area and direct injected heel studs that let you cut on a dime. Combine that with a foot-hugging chassis built for speed and you’ve got a cleat that doesn’t just compete – it dominates.

US Women’s National Team member Carli Lloyd on the new Mercurial Vapor FG:

“I feel great in the new Vapor. It’s a perfect fit. I like the colors and the weight of it, and I also like the materials – it’s a bit of a softer feel than the old Vapors. I’m not distracted at all because the boot feels great. They’re comfortable and allow for a great touch on the ball.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Buy the Mercurial Vapor FG

The History of Speed – Mercurial Superfly

gabejazzy — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:11:30 GMT

The pursuit of speed never rests. And just a year after the Mercurial SL blazed through the game, the latest Mercurial boot is tearing into defences.

Mercurial Superfly is inspired by a revolutionary construction method first developed for the world’s leading sprinters. Nike Flywire uses super-light filaments to support to the foot with minimal materials, keeping the weight down and the speed of the world’s fastest players up.

Innovative drill-through studscombine with a 7-layer carbon-fibre outsole to fuse lightweight design, strength and flexibility – giving players the speed and traction to dance through defences.

CR7, the Mercurial’s favourite son, has already made his mark in the Superfly, racing clear to head home against Inter Milan. Add that to his first Premier League hat-trick on his Mercurial Vapor IV debut and his match-winning strike in the Mercurial SL on Europe’s biggest night in Moscow and you understand the power of speed.

The Superfly has landed. Sorry defenders.

Get your hands on fast

gabejazzy — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:16:09 GMT

Making the fastest players in world football even faster demands relentless invention and refinement.

And the Mercurial Superfly scores a hat-trick of key innovations – Nike Flywire, 7-layer carbon-fibre outsole and dual density studs. All designed to push the pace of the world’s deadliest players.

And now you can feel the force of these world-beating features. The Mercurial Vapor V is built around Nike Flywire – a revolutionary construction method that uses super-light filaments to help make you fastest on the pitch.

Weighing in at just 230 grams, the Vapor V features an ultra-light Teijin synthetic upper that adjusts to the shape of your foot for total comfort. And its carbon composite outer works with direct-injected studs to race-tune your acceleration. You’ll be gone before defenders even see you.

Buy the Mercurial Vapor V