While the arguments continue about the rights and wrongs of the British & Irish Lions rugby union tour to South Africa, the world of football has no such concerns at the end of a highly successful Confederations Cup tournament.

Fifa are trumpeting the 8 team event as a more than satisfactory warm-up event to next year’s World Cup finals, and certainly if the action next summer compares to what we’ve enjoyed over the past few weeks, then the 2010 World Cup will be one to remember.

First off, congratulations must go to the winners Brazil. In Sunday’s final they battled back from two goals down against the USA to take the trophy 3 – 2.

Playing in the Nike Superfly, Clint Dempsey (who has surely enhanced his reputation as a top level striker) put the USA ahead with Landon Donovan, in a classic pair of Nike Vapor IV’s, doubling their advantage before half time.

USA star Landon Donovan wears the Charcoal Vapor IV

But, just as he did last week, Brazil striker Luis Fabiano banged in a brace wearing his Nike Superfly’s ,Kaka had a goal wrongly disallowed before Lucio in the adidas Predator Powerserve headed the winner as time ran out.

With 5 goals in the competition, Fabiano won the adidas Golden Shoe for being the tournaments top scorer with team mate Kaka winning the adidas Golden Ball as best player.

One medal, two trophies. The tournaments best player Kaka revels in Brazil’s win at the Confederations Cup

In the preceding game to settle 3rd and 4th place, there were two goal heroes for both Spain and South Africa with the Spanish eventually winning 3 – 2 after extra time.

Nike look like they could have another big name player on their hands in Katlego Mphela. The South African substitute opened the scoring in the second half, lashing in a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala

Two goals in as many minutes from Daniel Guiza in the Diadora LX – K-Pro looked to have won the game for the European Champions but Mphela had other ideas, as he rammed home an injury time free kick to force extra time.

A Spaniard with Italian flair - Daniel Guiza wears the Diadora LX K-Pro

But just as adidas provided the winner in the final, so it did hear with Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso converting a free kick in his adiPure II’s to give Spain the victory.

A lot of us football boot enthusiasts—myself included—love to debate over boots and their manufacturers, and much time has been spent examining and arguing over which ‘brand’ is king.

Now, imagine a game where players were not divided by club or country, but instead by their allegiance to their boot manufacturer. A one-off game, or perhaps a tournament, to decide the best boot company based on the athletes which have chosen to support that ‘team’. Who would the companies choose to field in such an important game?

This week on ‘From The Sole’, I decided to have a go at arranging three Fantasy XI’s (as we love to do around here) based on such requirements. I gave heavy-hitters adidas and Nike their own squads, and also put together a ‘world brand’ side that encompasses the rest of the boot makers: Puma, Lotto, Mizuno, Umbro, Reebok, Diadora, Kappa, Lotto, and Under Armour.

The results were naturally three very impressive squads that I attempted to pick with teamwork, technique, and chemistry being the most important factors.

Team adidas – aka the ‘Triple Stripes’

GK: Edwin Van Der Sar (Predator PowerSwerve)
LB: Philip Lahm (adiPure II)
CB: Per Mertesacker (Predator PowerSwerve)
CB: Martin Demichelis (Predator PowerSwerve)
RB: Jose Bosingwa (adiPure II)

Jose Bosingwa

Defense: Edwin gets the nod over Petr Cech, who’s seemed shaky at times for Chelsea in 08-09. The monstrous 6’6” Mertesacker is chosen at the back to dominate in the air. Lahm, a promising (and already world-class) wingback, and Bosingwa, who had a great season with Chelsea, are also chosen along with the experienced Demichelis.

DMF: Xavi (Predator PowerSwerve)
CMF: Steven Gerrard (Predator PowerSwerve)
LMF: Robin van Persie (Predator PowerSwerve)
RMF: Lionel Messi (F50i)*
AMF/SS: Kaka (adiPure II)
CF: David Villa (F50.i)
* Messi has opted for a pair of F30’s over the F50’s.

David Villa

Mid/Attack: A passing based offence is coordinated by maestros Xavi and Gerrard, the latter of which can add a lot to the attack in the final third as well. Van Persie plays best when surrounded by other talented individuals, and will provide a strong left-footed cross while Messi terrorizes the right side with his dribbling abilities. Kaka’s crafty touch and Villa’s merciless finish round out a deadly and tactical attack.

Notable Exclusions: Frank Lampard, Daniele De Rossi, David Silva, David Beckham, Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, Dimitar Berbatov, Marcos Senna, Gabriel Milito, Ashley Cole, Gonzalo Higuain

Why? Lampard is excluded, as he can’t seem to find the right rhythm with Gerrard when they play together. Ballack too is left out, as I don’t feel he’d fit in as well with this passing-based flow. I chose Villa over Higuain, as I think Villa is a little more accomplished.
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After being injured during AS Roma’s loss to Catania at the weekend and out for possibly a couple of months, it’s likely that former Italian international Francesco Totti has worn Diadora football boots for the final time.

Totti’s four year deal with the Italian manufacturer comes to an end in a few days and Totti has decided that he will change brands for the start of 2009.

Just which brand remains to be seen. It’s understood that the 32 year old has received a number of offers, one thought to be from Kappa, but as yet no final decision has been made public.

Totti is possibly a target of Kappa who make the Gladiatore pro above.

At the start of 2008, Totti appeared in Diadora’s LX K-Pro which was specially designed for Roma’s most capped player in what has been Diadora’s 60th year.

The black and gold football boots bore Totti’s number 10 on the tongue and also featured the names of his two children Cristian and Chanel.

Diadora once described Totti as their own ‘modern day gladiator’. His departure to another brand is likely to be keenly felt.

With the Premier League season at an end, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at some of the best performing players and their football boots of the year.

Well, it makes a change from flicking through holiday brochures with the other half and persuading her that nice though a trekking holiday through the foothills of Tibet sounds, 6 million beers over a 2 week period in Ibiza might be the better option.

Of course, these are just the choices of the Footy Boots office. Don’t forget, you’ll get your chance to vote on your personal favourites later in the year in the ‘Footy Boots Awards’. We’ll bring you more details on that over the next few weeks. For now, you’ll have to make do with our picks.

Attackers boot of the year - Nike Mercurial Vapor IV

It’s pretty much impossible to go against the Mercurial Vapor IV after the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United star hit 41 goals this season in the Nike branded footwear, 31 of those coming in the top flight. Nike should also be proud of their achievements in keeping the Portuguese international more upright this season. Must be something to do with the patented Vapor Traction system. That or he just got a bit embarrassed falling over every time a butterfly flapped it’s wings in China. In what was a stellar campaign for Ronaldo, he won both the Footballers player of the year and PFA player of the year awards.

Midfielders boot of the year - Nike Tiempo Legend II

It’s another win for Nike after the great season enjoyed by Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. OK, the campaign may have been half a dozen games too long for the young Spaniard but at times it was like he was carrying the entire Arsenal team on his own. In addition to his match turning exploits from the middle of the park, the PFA young player of the year also weighed in with 13 goals from 45 appearances.

Defenders boot of the year - Puma v-Konstrukt II

Despite injury problems, Manchester United stopper Nemanja Vidic played in 44 games this season and was instrumental in United conceding just 22 league goals all season, with just 7 of those coming at Old Trafford. The Serbian international only picked up 5 yellow cards as well, though he did manage to get himself booked in both internationals he played in this term. Not surprisingly, after helping United to the Premier league title and Champions League final, Vidic was named in the PFA’s Premier League team of the year.

Goalkeepers boot of the year - Umbro SX Flare

David James was a shoe-in (see what we’ve done there) for this award but there’s been a fair bit of confusion over his Kelme boots this season. James has been seen wearing blacked out boots with Kelme stickers as he’s currently working on the design of new boots with the Spanish company. So instead, we’ve gone for the Manchester City keeper Joe Hart. In a meteoric season, Hart became the City number 1 and got himself in to Fabio Capello’s England squad for the upcoming games against the USA and Trinidad & Tobago. Despite the off the field distractions surrounding Sven Goran Eriksson, Hart was instrumental in helping City to 9th place in the table. And brilliantly, he wasn’t in goal when they got creamed 8 - 1 by Boro on the final day of the season.

Best looking kit of the year - Adidas & Liverpool 2008 / 09

The new kit is in classic Liverpool red. An embroidered Liver Bird is positioned on the back of the shirt and the inner neck of the shirt has a red chequered area inspired by the flags of The Kop. The shirt also carries a “This is Anfield” inscription, inspired by the famous Anfield sign. Clean and simple - a bit like Jermaine Pennant before he starts a game.

Footy Boots Non Premier League choice - Diadora LX K-Pro

The choice for this honour was enormous but in the end, sentimentality won the day as we went with the Italian war horse Francesco Totti. Roma have been excellent domestically and pushed Inter all the way for the Scudetto before finally falling at the last hurdle. Totti managed 14 goals from 25 league appearances (that’s a goal every 1.78 games) which isn’t bad for a 31 year old. He scored his 200th Roma goal in January and later that month was named as Italy’s player of the year for a fifth time.

Don’t forget to watch this space for details of the Footy Boots Awards 2008.

Italian striking legend Francesco Totti is currently plying his trade in a brand new pair of football boots, the LX K-Pro by Diadora. Indeed, the 31 year old got on the score sheet in his first game wearing the new footwear, AS Roma’s 4 - nil trouncing of Parma last weekend.

The LX K-Pro has been specially created for the Italian international , who is described by the company as their very own ‘modern day gladiator’. Additionally the new football boot signifies and celebrates Diadora’s 60th anniversary (LX is 60 in Roman numerals).

Totti’s black and gold football boots have been personally customised as well with an embroided number 10 on the tongue plus the name of his two children Cristian and Chanel.

As for the technical specs, they weigh just 9.5 ounces and have a kangaroo leather upper with the seams designed to maintain perfect ball control. Being kangaroo leather, control of the bouncing ball should be a doddle too.

The heel area is constructed with a special ergonomic Morpho cup, made of pre-printed TPU, which guarantees the greatest adaptability to any foot. The outsole is the new MG 14 stud system, which gives maximum comfort on both natural terrain and new generation synthetic fields.

In addition, the LX K-Pro has Diadora’s Axeler Technology, designed to increase performance, ensure progressive flex and elastic action, as well as increase acceleration and reaction time while sprinting or running.

Francesco Totti fact file

AS Roma club games, 500
FIFA 100 (125 greatest living players, as selected by Pelé)
2006 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
EURO 2000 Team of the Tournament
Serie A Footballer of the Year, 2000, 2003
Italian Footballer of the Year, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007
Serie A Young Footballer of the Year, 1999
Serie A top scorer, 2006-07
European Golden Boot, 2006-2007

Italian World Cup winner Francesco Totti has made a swift return from injury thanks to a specially made prototype football boot.

AS Roma striker Totti injured his ankle, whilst wearing his “Pro Line” Totti 10 versions of the Diadora Maximus RTX 14 football boots, during the Giallorossi’s 2-1 Champions League win against Sporting on 23 October. The 2006/7 Golden Boot winner, 31, was not expected to be out of action for long after scans revealed he had not fractured any bones. However a knock suffered in training aggravated the injury, leaving the striker on the sidelines for a total of 6 weeks.

Totti made a surprising comeback in the Serie A match against Cagliari last week, after the design team at Diadora created a specially made prototype football boot to help to ease the pain in his foot.

This is not the first time that Diadora Reseach Centre has enabled Totti to recover from an injury. In fact last year he made a return from injury prior to the 2006 World Cup thanks to a bespoke Diadora Gamma Carbonio shin guard. The self wrapping shell of this Diadora shin guard was composed of 7 layers of kevlar and fibreglass providing an extremely lightweight, low profile fit while ensuring maximum protection. The Coolmax fabric backing wipes away moisture keeping the lower leg cool during matches.

Totti is widely recognised as the symbol of Roma, having remained at Roma throughout his career despite being linked with leading clubs throughout Europe. Totti has become Roma’s top goalscorer and most capped player in the Serie A club’s history.

Football boot brand Diadora has negotiated a deal with Asda for the supermarket chain to sell cut price Scotland football shirts.

Asda will sell adult football shirts for £29 and children’s football shirts for £24 - £10 cheaper than some specialist sports chains.

Footy-Boots.com recently revealed that many football boot brands have imposed a a long list of stipulations to prevent supermarkets from stocking their replica football shirts (Read Article). The criteria made it difficult for supermarkets to stock the kits because they would have to put them near other kinds of product, such as food. Some supermarkets have alleged the rules were introduced to ensure the football shirts would only be sold in shops which would stick to the retail price rather than supermarkets which would be more likely to sell them as cut-price “loss-leaders.” But the manufacturers insist they are to ensure customers are able to make purchases in a retail environment that meets minimum quality standards.

Supermarket chains including Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco had previously only been able to get football shirts in stock by using the so-called grey market, which involved buying them in from Europe rather than directly from the manufacturer.

Asda’s deal with Diadora is the first time a major kit manufacturer has agreed to allow its football shirts to be sold in a supermarket. Asda said it now planned to approach Nike, Adidas and Umbro to ask them if they would be prepared to supply the supermarket chain in the future.

Asda’s general manager for sporting goods Paul Crier has also called on football boot brands to reduce the prices of replica football shirts, encouraging them to sell strips at a “fair price.” “At last we’re starting to see the whistle blown on rip-off football shirt prices,” he said.

Back in 2003, the Office of Fair Trading fined companies including JJB Sports, JD Sports, Umbro, Manchester United and the Football Association for fixing the prices of England and Manchester United football shirts.

Francesco Totti Calls Time On His International Career

The world of international football was dealt a blow today by the news that Diadora football boot wearer Francesco Totti is retiring from international football. Even though the AS Roma striker is only 30 years old, and appears in great shape, he has cited the reasons for his withdrawal as being for “physical” than any other reasons.

Totti confirmed the reports today at AS Roma’s training camp saying “Quitting is an ugly word, but yes, I have taken this decision. I’m closing with the national team for various physical reasons.” Totti sustained an ankle injury at last year’s World Cup, after which time he indicated that he would it cannot support playing for both Italy and Roma.

Francesco Totti Football Boots

Totti, considered by many to be Italy’s most talented player, is recognized for his on-field vision and ability to set up team-mates but he can also score when required. Totti was the top scorer in Europe last season with 26 goals while playing as an orthodox striker for Roma. He was used more as a playmaker with the national team, and retires with nine goals in 58 games. Totti is sponsored by Italian football boot maker Diadora, and wears the specially made Diadora “Pro Line” Totti 10 football boots.

The retirement adds to the growing number of players who feel they have to retire from the international game while continuing to play at club level, indicating the pace and physical nature of the game is at the highest it has ever been.

European Golden Boot Awarded to Diadora Man Totti

Diadora football boot wearer, Francesco Totti of AS Roma, has been awarded the European Golden Boot award for the 2006-07 season. Totti, who wears Diadora Maximus football boots, finished the season with 26 goals, one ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy (Nike Air Legends), whose injury in Sunday’s Real Madrid game ended his hopes of the top striker’s award.

It is a remarkable achievement for Totti who has played the entire season with a metal pin in his ankle, a result of an injury he picked up prior to Italy winning the World Cup last summer. Totti was suitably humble and modest saying “A year ago everyone was writing me off, saying I was finished, but now I am a World Cup winner and top goalscorer. It was meant to be.” A dig at his club perhaps, who had been rumoured to be off-loading the striker.

The Golden Boot or Shoe is decided on a points system, which is weighted according to the relative strength of each of Europe’s leagues by European Sports Magazines. Totti finished on 52 points, 1 point ahead of Afonso Alves (Nike Mercurial Vapor III), who actually scored 34 goals (8 more than Totti) for sc Heerenveen in the Dutch Premier Division. The top English premier league striker was Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (Nike Mercurial Vapor III) in joint 7th position with 20 goals. Out of the ten strikers, Nike lead the way with 4 out of the 10, followed by Adidas (3), with Joma, Asics and of course Diadora making up the remaining places.

Nike Retain Crown As English Premier League Hot Shots

Even though Nike were beaten to the top spot, they can take comfort that with Drogba’s top spot in the premiership, the global sportswear giant maintains an amazing record of having provided the English Premiership’s Golden Boot winner for the last FIVE seasons - with van Nistelrooy(02-03) and Thierry Henry (03-04, 04-05, 05-06) being the previous winners. Will Nike continue their football boot striking success in 07-08, or can Henry recapture his form in the new Reebok Sprintifts?

Diadora Maximus Red White and Gold Colourway

Diadora football boot wearer, Francesco Totti has been wearing a new colourway of the Diadora “Pro Line” Totti 10 which has been specially created for the Roma powerhouse. The new football boot is a stylish colourway of White, Red and Gold, and has been immediately successful for Totti, as he scored this weekend in the Diadora football boot with a swerving free kick that takes his season’s tally to 22, and also secured Roma’s second place in Serie A, behind champions Inter Milan.

Francesco Totti Football Boots

The football boot worn by Totti is a version of the Diadora Maximus football boot, which has been customised for Diadora’s star player. With three games remaining, Totti is favourite to land Serie A’s Golden Boot award. Totti himself is no stranger to golden football boots, having donned the impressive gold Diadora Maximus Italia - a golden football boot for a 24 carat footballer.

Read more Diadora Football Boots news.

Manchester United Battle with Roma in the Champions League Quarter Finals

Sparks were flying on and off the pitch as Manchester United lost to AS Roma 2-1, but United grabbed an away goal that could prove to be crucial in next week’s return leg. Off the pitch saw the United fans clashing with Italian authorities in shocking scenes that may lead to UEFA charges for both clubs.

AS Roma 2:1 Manchester United

The game itself was sparked into life as Nike Total 90 Supremacy football boot wearer Paul Scholes picked up two unnecessary yellow cards and was dismissed after only 34 minutes. United switched formation to try and contain the Italians, but inevitably Roma scored in the 44th minute through Rodrigo Taddei’s deflected shot. The second half saw a more determined and comfortable United press back, leading to a 60th minute Rooney goal, which was coolly taken and exquisitely executed. Roma, though eventually made their advantage tell, with sub Marko Vucinic coming on and in the 66th minute grabbing the goal that gave Roma the lead, but also sets up an intriguing return leg, with United definitely still in the hunt for a semi-final place.

Roma captain and Diadora football boot wearer Francesco Totti had an excellent match, that had been billed as the Ronaldo v Totti showdown. Despite the lack of a goal, Totti’s mobility made marking him a nightmare and he combined well with fellow Diadora football boot wearer Mancini for the first goal and played his part in the decider.

Football Boots

Totti wears specially created Diadora signature football boots, based on the Diadora ”Pro Line” Totti 10 football boot - a lightweight version of the Diadora Maximus with increased speed, comfort and stability. When asked if he’d ever consider playing in England the Roma Captain said, “I’ve never liked English football, even if there are some great players there. I don’t like England either because the weather is gloomy.” Let’s hope Manchester provides a suitably gloomy and overcast night for Totti next week!

News from Italian Football Boot Maker Diadora

Italian football boot and sportswear maker Diadora has revealed the new away kit for the Scotland national team. The new kit will be worn by Scotland for the first time at their crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy, in Bari, on Wednesday 28th March.

Peter Terry, Managing Director Diadora UK said, ” The new away kit looks fantastic it’s a true combination of great design, styling, advanced fabric technology and Scottish passion. Scotland are in a great position at the moment at the top of their Euro 2008 group and everybody at Diadora is 100% behind the team and we will do all we can to help the team qualify for the Euro 2008 Finals.”

The kit is in white, with the distinctive Scottish cross emblazoning the chest in light blue, with the national team and Diadora logo at the center.

Diadora Football Boot Players Called to Italian National Team

Diadora recently revealed that they had signed AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini to wear the Diadora footy boot, and his run of good recent performances has been rewarded with a call up to the Italian national team that will face Scotland next week. Fellow Diadora football boot wearer Andrea Barzagli, the Palermo defender, has also been called up to the squad by new coach Roberto Donadoni.

Diadora Football Boots

Diadora in their heyday famously sponsored premiership players such as Roy Keane, Stan Collymore and Gary Neville, but more recently they remain a force strong in their native Italy. Current star players wearing the Diadora football boot include the AC Roma duo of Francesco Totti and Alessandro Mancini. Their current range of football boots goes from the gold Diadora Maximus Italia (dedicated to Francesco Totti after the World Cup win in 2006), Capitano, Brasil Champion Black/Gold and the Attiva III.

Read more about Diadora Football Boots

Diadora Brasil Axeler football boot review, by Nick Tan.

Those were the days when Stan Collymore, the Neville brothers, Roy Keane and even Marco Van Basten stepped onto the field with their Diadora football boots. These days most of the players endorsing Diadora hail mainly from Serie A, the most well known being the ageing Filippo Inzaghi.

Diadora Brasil Axeler

Weighing in at about 14 oz (actual weight) for my little Size 6 feet, this Diadora football boot, made in Bulgaria, is half a size larger than usual. For example, I had to make do with a UK 6 � as the 6 was simply too tight for me, although I do have a penchant for tight fitting football boots.

Wearing the football boots for the first time, I was excited, looking at the beautiful luminous yellow markings on my football boots, left me feeling like a pro.

The Fit
The football boots felt secure, although the original lacing proved to be a little excessive. The kangaroo uppers were very soft as they were further lined with cambrelle. The initial fitting was weird as the football boots felt very stubby, but by the time my football boots were moulded to my feet, after a few weeks they felt okay.

Football Boot for Wide Feet
I would have to say that, it’s a football boot suited for wider feet. The patented shock absorbing DA and Ergos technology was great, as not once did I feel any stress on my soles, running of the rock hard pitch here in Singapore, it really works. In fact, not once did I have to suffer a single foot problem wearing this pair of football boots. Even breaking the football boots in was quite pain free.

Poor Durability
However, for all its comfort, there were just too many things that were not right, especially in terms of durability. After just over 6 months of wearing the football boots once a week, barring an intensive 2 weeks coaching course, a hole appeared at the tip of the toe. It was then I realised how thin the leather actually was. In fact, the football boots started to really age after wearing them just 5 or 6 times.

Wet Conditions
After about 2 months, I noticed the inner soles started to peal and they later developed a hole in the material exposing the foam. The lining of the inside of the heel was also torn after about 5 months. That was not all, when it rained, the football boot weighed a tonne. So much so that I had to have my football boots changed halfway through a game to avoid fatigue. The water absorption was also just too great and wouldn’t be too comfortable during wet weather. There was also a fair bit of movement of the feet when the football boots were soaked. Stopping was a challenge as the feet were swimming and moving around in the football boot.

Summary
So if you are looking for a great looking football boot, with traditional feel, comfort in dry weather and an advanced sole, this is the football boot for you. Regular training and matches in these football boots would just greatly reduce their life span.

Considering, my weight of about 62 kilograms, the football boots couldn’t take too much abuse. Someone weighing a third more is going to kill these football boots much quicker.

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