2016 has begun with the USWNT snagging even more hardware and picking up right where 2015 left off. Carli Lloyd, the hero of the 2015 WWC Final, was handed the women’s Ballon D’Or. A much deserved victory, Lloyd’s exploits have spanned far beyond her ridiculous WWC Final hat-trick during 2015. The absolute heartbeat for her club in the NWSL (with some pretty fantastic goals there too), the #1 rated women’s player by the always accurate FIFA video game franchise (ok…mostly accurate), and a trophy cabinet from the last few years that puts her in rare company, Lloyd was a shoe-in for the coveted award.
Did we mention she was up for the Puskas award as well? That never hurts your chances…
While the Ballon D’Or puts her in today’s headlines, Lloyd has been a long-serving star for the USWNT whose accomplishments had been amazing long before the efforts within 2015. Having played within the ranks of the national team for over a decade, Lloyd has 80 international goals and, even at 33, will have more to come (can she eclipse 100?). Her play in the NWSL has always had her at the top of the game, with Lloyd taking her team to the NWSL final in the league’s first year via some massive goal contributions during the season and the playoffs.
Now, at the height of praise, Nike has also decided to christen the player that has become a role model to players, men and women alike, everywhere. Calling them the “Leave Your Legacy” boots, Lloyd has certainly lived up to the name that Nike has applied here. A gorgeous Mercurial SuperFly IV adorned with a wealth of homages to Lloyd’s game. Three stars on the heel, to show the USWNT’s three WWC triumphs. Three stars on the insole, each inscribed with the time of Lloyd’s goals in the final against Japan. Lloyd’s #10, emblazoned in gold on the boot. As if that wasn’t enough, the laces have the dates from Lloyd’s Olympic gold medal runs etched on them and the heel has the phrase “Competitive by Nature” to honor Lloyd’s fighting spirit. Considering how personalized this boot is, you have to think that CR7 and Messi might get a little jealous of these jaw-dropping beauties…
For us, this SuperFly is the epitome of gorgeous. Sadly, only 20 pairs are going to be released with the only information being available on the Nike app or Nike’s various social media sites.
Lloyd has earned every ounce of praise that she has received, and these Nike’s boots are totally deserved. Congrats Carli, not only on this honor, but for the future generation of female players that will see your accomplishments…this accomplishment, and aspire to be something greater than any of us could ever imagine. Leave your legacy.