Nike Mercurial soccer cleats made their debut in 1998 on the feet of a dazzling Brazilian superstar you may have heard of—Ronaldo. Since then, they’ve become a dangerous asset for the game’s greatest with their lighter-than-air feel and status as an elite speed boot.
Whether players opt for the low-cut Vapors or the support of the Superfly’s Dynamic Fit Collar, they’re choosing an iconic soccer shoe. But who are today’s most dominant players hitting the pitch in Nike Mercurials? Let’s find out in this edition of The InStep.
Kylian Mbappe
What’s there to say about this talented phenom that hasn’t already been said? Mbappe is a force on the pitch regardless of the opponent, the stakes, or the city. Mbappe will forever be tied to Paris, his birthplace, and the city where he burst onto the soccer scene as a legend in the making. With PSG, Mbappe became a household name, notching goal after goal until he became their all-time leading goal scorer.
As he begins a new chapter with Spanish superpower Real Madrid, one thing remains the same. We will still see Mbappe sprinting down the field in a pair of Nike Mercurial Superflys. His latest signature look features a striking orange and that famous dynamic fit collar.
Vini Jr.
We promise this list won’t be made up entirely of Real Madrid players, but it’s not our fault ‘Los Blancos’ have a way of securing the best talent in every generation. And make no mistake, Vinicius Jr. is a generational talent. As great as Mbappe is, he’s joining Vini Jr.’s team.
Donning his Nike Volt/Black Nike Mercurials, Vini Jr. led Real Madrid to the 2024 Champions League title, scoring 26 goals across all competitions. It caps off a banner stretch for Real Madrid thanks to Vini Jr.’s dominance since 2021. The only flaw in Vini Jr.’s young career is that he was robbed—yes, robbed—of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Sam Kerr
The ‘Millionaire Matilda,’ Sam Kerr is one of the latest legends to put on a pair of Mercurials. Kerr takes the pitch for Chelsea and doesn’t seem to step off it without adding to her record of accomplishments.
Like just about everyone on this list, what sets Kerr apart is her ability to score. Kerr’s pure talent and the Mercurial’s GripKnit upper make her downright dangerous to keepers. Give Kerr a little daylight, and she’s bound to make you pay for it. Having conquered leagues across the corners of the globe, she’s burnishing a Ronaldo-esque career. The only thing missing for Kerr is a Ballon d’Or of her own.
Martin Ødegaard
Ødergaard might be one of the game’s most promising young midfielders with his impressive playmaking ability. Midfielders have to do a little bit of everything, and Ødergaard’s Mercurials make that possible. Whether he’s closing a gap in the defense or pushing the pace on a deadly counterattack, Ødergaard’s talent stands out. Thanks to his Mercurials, Ødergaard controls the game with sure passing and dribbling.
After all, they don’t make just anybody the captain of historic franchises like Arsenal.
Cristiano Ronaldo
As long as CR7 is stepping out onto the pitch, you have to acknowledge that he is one of the greatest players wearing Mercurials. For over a decade, few players and fewer keepers could stand toe-to-toe with Ronaldo when he took to the pitch. While his career has taken him away from the center of the soccer world’s spotlight, that hasn’t stopped him from dominating the competition. If this is Ronaldo’s twilight, it seems eerily similar to his prime, as he once again notched over 50 goals in a year.
Unleash Speed on the Pitch
Few soccer shoes are available today that can compete with the rich history and pedigree of the Mercurials. This silo is unique because, for Nike, greatness is never enough. They continue to improve these cleats with lighter yet stronger GripKnit uppers and an AirZoom unit for comfort and speed.
When you’re ready to forge your path to soccer greatness in Mercurials, find the perfect pair at SoccerPro. The only thing faster than these Nike soccer cleats is our shipping.
