Manchester United pulled off an historic win in Italy last night, beating AC Milan 3 – 2 in the first leg of their Champions League knock out tie.

United had lost their four previous away encounters to the Italian giants and indeed, had never scored against them at the San Siro. Here’s how the match unfolded.

AC Milan 1 -0 Manchester United

The game is only 3 minutes old when former United star David Beckham swings in a free kick from the right flank. Patrice Evra attempts an ambitious overhead clearance, but the ball falls to Ronaldinho who, wearing the Tiempo III’s rather than his signature line boots, shoots for goal. The ball deflects off Michael Carrick as van der Sar is beaten.

AC Milan 1 – 1 Manchester United

The Italian’s continue to dominate as United struggle to find any rhythm. The visitor’s continue to give the ball away cheaply and Milan are guilty of missing a number of decent chances. And on 36 minutes they are made to pay. Darren Fletcher hits in a low cross, Paul Scholes, wearing the Total 90 Laser II’s, swings and misses but the ball hits his standing leg and dribbles in to the far corner. Surely a keeper more talented than Dida, and let’s face it, there are hundreds of them, would have done better.

AC Milan 1 – 2 Manchester United

Milan again started the better in the second period but couldn’t add to their goal tally and with Wayne Rooney and his Total 90 Laser III’s beginning to increasingly trouble the home defence, United began to click. On 66 minutes another cross did for the home team as Rooney rose superbly to head home substitute Antonio Valencia’s centre to give the visitors the lead.

AC Milan 1 – 3 Manchester United

8 minutes later, and with David Beckham now off the pitch having been replaced, United had a two goal cushion. Again Fletcher was the provider and again, Rooney was on hand to head past Dida.

AC Milan 2 -3 Manchester United

Milan are looking tired but they still manage to conjure up a late goal which will give the tie added spice for the second leg at Old Trafford. With 5 minutes remaining, Ronaldinho was given too much room on the left and his pass, after 4 goals from Nike players, was flicked home by Clarence Seedorf wearing the adidas adiPure III’s. United hold on despite going down to 10 men when Carrick is dismissed for a second yellow card.

The second leg of the tie takes place in Manchester on 10th March.

Ronaldinho may not be able to replicate the form that once made him the most feared footballer on the planet, but he still knows how to be king of bling on the pitch.

Introducing:

Nike Ronaldinho Dois football boot in Metallic Gold-Sail-Tar-Challenge Red.

Ronaldinho in his new Gold Dois football boots.

Sporting the new Gold Dois football boots whilst playing for AC Milan in the World Football Challenge, the look brought back memories at Footy Boots HQ of Ronaldinho circa 2006.

August 2006, Ronaldinho strutting in the golden Nike Air Legend R10.

Ronaldinho DOIS

The Ronaldinho DOIS (named DOIS as this is the second football boot in the range and DOIS means ‘two’ in Ronaldinho’s mother tongue, Portuguese), follows its predecessor the Tiempo Ronaldinho football boot, as the unique offering styled and assisted in design by Ronaldinho himself.

Ronaldinho Dois Spec

Upper: Super-soft Kangaroo leather with a unique natural and raw finish. Innovative lozenge quilting for maximum support and minimum stretch.

Midsole: Moulded sockliner with full-length foam inserts for enhanced cushioning and great in-shoe comfort.

Outsole: Lightweight TPU with three forefoot flex zones and textured stud tips for 360 degree ball control.

Players: Ronaldinho

Price: £110 - $174.9

Colour: Metallic Gold/Sail/Tar/Challenge Red

Sizes: 6-12

Weight: 328g approx

More Ronaldinho Gold

Ronaldinho has a soft spot for Gold football boots, during his heyday he had two special pairs of football boots containing eight ounces of 24-carat gold with real 24-carat gold applied to the Nike swoosh. The football boots featured a gold embroidered letter “R” and number 10, the shirt Ronaldinho was wearing for Barcelona. To top it off the heel of the football boot was embossed with five gold stars in honour of Brazil’s five World Cup wins. Nice!

Despite only being 29 years old, it seems his ‘off field antics’ may have taken to a toll on his ability. Which may be why Nike are likely to scrap the 10R line (Ronaldinho’s signature range) after this version of the Dois model.

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During the past few weeks the leading football boot manufacturers have released a wide variety of new models and colourways. Despite the current economic climate, consumer choice continues to grow and expand with ever more speed.

The shelf life of football boots continues to shorten each year. With the World Cup coming up next year in South Africa, no matter what pair of football boots you’re currently lacing up you can bet your money they’ll be out of fashion in a matter of months. As for the “technology” incorporated into these football boots, they’ll be far “outdated”.

What could change?

Ronaldinho’s Dois football boots.

For Ronaldinho fans I’m sorry to say that I believe his signature line of boots may be dropped. The good news is Nike will be adding to their product range with the new Nike CTR360.

I’m also led to believe the ’shotshield’ technology is to be removed from the Laser III and I’d assume Nike will release an improved version of the Vapor in conjunction with the 2010 World Cup.

The current Nike Mercurial Vapor V

The other heavyweight adidas will also be developing their range. The next F50 is said to end the TUNiT system which could be replaced with traditional bladed studs.  Also on the horizon before the turn of the year is the Predator TruStrike, followed by the adiPure III shortly afterwards. All these new football boots to come and I haven’t even touched on the likes of Puma, Umbro, and Lotto amongst others.

Emmanuel Adebayor and the latest F50, the adidas F50i

As you may have guessed, I am a football boot nut and as a result enjoy having a broad selection of football boots to choose from, but I do sometimes feel like I am being fleeced when a slightly varied version of a boot is released, especially after just investing in a new boot. Many young footballers like to stay up to date with fashion these days, but its becoming even more expensive to do so.

It seems possible that NikeiD and miadidas may soon become obsolete. With an ever increasing selection of colours anyone can find a boot to match any kit or a boot that will make them stand out on the pitch and have them personalized to top it off.

Paying Homage to Heritage

In an industry where plastics and flash colours prevail, I have to pay my respects to the traditional football boot. Models like the the adidas Copa Mundial that have withstood the test of time and continue to offer quality comfort and touch.

The classicly styled adidas Copa Mundial

The newest editions of traditional football boots sometimes go unnoticed. The adiPure II, Puma King XL, and Nike Tiempo Legend III include the classic lines and traditional styling, but with updated materials, enhanced features and new design details. They are what a football boot should be about, but it seems all the marketing is geared towards the flash boots.

For this reason I have to give some praise to Umbro for reaching back to their roots in the designing of the new England kit and the soon to be released Speciali.

David Beckham in the new England Kit, with Umbro pitch side hoarding.

Umbro’s return to its heritage for inspiration reflects a growing trend for a return to simple football values. Umbro is first and foremost a football company and have acknowledged the growing demand in the football boot market for more traditional looking and styled football boots.

There is an over abundance of multi-coloured, eye-catching football boots available, but not every player wants to pull a pair of bright pink or neon green boots out of his bag before stepping out onto the pitch.

Are you one of them or do you like the brash, in-your-face designs currently out there? Let me know by commenting below.

By Matt Dawson

Competition is inherent in football - the game itself is based on it, and off the pitch there’s always talk of boardroom battles, bidding wars and mind games.

Away from the clubs themselves, the competition has been equally fierce between the sports brands; sponsorship deals on players, clubs, tournaments and even leagues are all opportunities for product placement by companies with unfathomable sums of money at their command.

Adias marketing at Euro 08

Competitions however have an candid characteristic: they have winners. I’ve grown up on the Nike Vs. Adidas competition, always assuming that both would always be there - but what if one of them achieved the impossible - what if one of them had complete market domination?

In one corner Adidas has an excellent reputation, their heritage is unrivalled (even involving a family feud with Puma!) and shows it in boots like the Copa Mundial and Samba, but they’re no slackers when it comes to research and development either, with their Predator range being arguably the most continuously innovative pair of boots on the market.

The Adidas Copa Mundial

However Adidas has always been something of the underdogs in this battle as Nike has always been (in terms of yearly profit) the ‘bigger company’. As such, Adidas seem to have developed a very defensive strategy; for example it’s not enough to have sponsorship rights to every World Cup since 1994 and through to 2014, but very recently have begun to pay extra to have no Nike adverts played whatsoever during the 64 games broadcast in the English language.

That’s not to say Adidas aren’t capable of taking the initiative, they’ve taken the fight to Nike on their own turf by becoming the official supplier to the MLS, providing all team kits, balls, referee uniforms and equipment. Also, in August 2005, Adidas bought Reebok, meaning that at the time, they were able to bring their business sales figures the closest to Nike’s that they’d ever been.

Adidas designed MLS shirts for Red Bull New York

In the other corner Nike; in the last decade or so have enjoyed a great share of the football boots and equipment market. Thanks to some excellent individual player sponsorship, the public in general are confident of the quality of Nike’s boots. However, the Nike name isn’t as ‘in your face’ as the Adidas brand, with Nike sponsoring far less of Europe’s major tournaments. Only match ball sponsorship in the English Premier League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League springing to mind - so how have they managed a majority share?

Nike has really shone with clever marketing schemes; I’d be willing to bet that 90% of this site’s readership have watched Christiano Ronaldo race a Bugatti Veyron in his Mercurial Vapors or seen Ronaldinho rattle the Nou Camp crossbar with impossible precision thanks to his signature boots; and that’s the reason why Nike don’t necessarily need the sponsorship clout that Adidas flaunt whenever possible.

Very expensive and totally ostentatious - the other one’s a Bugatti!

Not limited to the viral video plane, Nike have also matched Adidas in terms of growth - with Nike’s recent acquisition of Umbro (interestingly enough another Northern-English sports company) is an exciting statement of intent from the American company.

Realistically, both brands will continue in a long and prosperous fashion, but if you had to pick one - who do you think would come out on top - and why?

For once I’m going to come off the fence and say Nike - Adidas have had their financial pitfalls before (See: Bernard Tapie 1989 - 1993) which demonstrates they’re perhaps not as solid as they should be. In terms of products, Adidas are no longer the sole leaders in boot development like they were in 1990’s - Nike have stepped up their innovation recently with boots like the Superfly. Finally they’ve shown incredible creativity in the face of Adidas blocking a number of the conventional routes for advertising.

Coming soon, the Black / Yellow Superfly

But what do you think? Are you impressed by Adidas’ strong-arm sponsorship policies? Or should we be looking at some of the smaller companies who still survive every year thanks to their business models? Drop us a comment and let us know your thoughts!

First off, many thanks to the near 3,500 of you who voted in last week’s debate on the best ever Nike Vapor. The Nike Vapor IV came out on top with 50% of the vote, closely followed by the Vapor III with 36%.

This week, we move from boots to players, although there is a very big boot link as we’ll reveal later.

Sparked by a T-shirt released by Manchester United that declares “There is only one Ronaldo” and a subsequent poll in Brazil, our question is simply this – who is the best Ronaldo?

Brazilian striker Ronaldo recently returned to action at Corinthians after recovering from a serious knee injury. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dazzle at Manchester United while, and forgive the poetic licence here, Ronaldinho (Portuguese for Little Ronaldo) struts his stuff at AC Milan.

In terms of achievement, here are a few facts and figures for you to ponder on:

Cristiano Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the current World Player and European Player of the Year. He’s won the Champions League and Club World Cup with Manchester United plus numerous Premier League titles.

Ronaldinho?

Ronaldinho has 2 Fifa World Player of the Year titles, has won the World Cup, Copa America and Confederations Cup with Brazil , been awarded the title of European Player of the Year and landed the Champions League and Spanish title with Barcelona.

Ronaldo?

Ronaldo, nicknamed ‘O Fenomeno’, has won the World Cup twice (breaking the all time finals scoring record in the process) and along with Zidane is the only professional to be named World Player of the Year on 3 occasions. He’s won the Uefa Cup twice, helped Madrid to the Spanish title and is the only player to score for both sides in the Milan derby.

Football Boots

In terms of football boots, all 3 players are linked by their association to Nike football boots. This week, Cristiano Ronaldo debuted the Mercurial Vapor Superfly, Ronaldinho has his own line, the Ronaldinho Dois 10R and Ronaldo, who once had a line of football boots under his signature, the R9, nowadays wears the Tiempo Legend II.

So, armed with all that info, now is the time to choose. You can vote below and also comment if you want to add further weight to your argument.

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We introduced the Ronaldinho DOIS football boot last week, which got a mixed review. Here are some new images, including an out of shape Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho looks to be at a crossroads in his career. It would seem that Barcelona are looking to cash in on him, with AC Milan and Manchester City, both UEFA Cup competitors, chasing his signature.

His form has been poor and rumours of living a lifestyle inappropriate for the former World Player of the Year, look to be true based on his physique.

Despite all that, Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, as his mother named him, has launched his new football boot, as we reported last week, in the article RONALDINHO DOIS.

The Ronaldinho DOIS has had mixed reviews from the Footy Boots community. Emails and comments have been both praising and slating this new football boot. Take a look at these new images and make up your own minds.

Detailed stitching and Ronaldinho’s inscription “Eu jogo com música na cabeça”, meaning ” I play with music in my head”.

Ronaldinho in action. Is it us or does that midriff look like Ronaldinho needs a bit more action?

It certainly looks like that mid-section is protruding.

Check the spec on the RONALDINHO DOIS

What do you think of the Ronaldinho DOIS?

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Ronaldinho DOIS is the second football boot launched in the 10R range, Ronaldinho’s very own collection.

Ronaldinho may not be in the best form his career, but that hasn’t stopped clubs clamouring for his signature. The Brazilian legend with the toothy grin and phenomenal football skills, is the only footballer in the Nike stable to have his very own collection and football boot, the 10R collection.

Ronaldinho DOIS

The Ronaldinho DOIS (named DOIS as this is the second football boot in the range and DOIS means ‘two’ in Ronaldinho’s mother tongue, Portuguese), follows its predecessor the Tiempo Ronaldinho football boot, as the unique offering styled and assisted in design by Ronaldinho himself.

Ronaldinho DOIS Spec

Premium craftsmanship and superior quality Kangaroo leather combine for a professional level football boot.

UPPER: Super-soft Kangaroo leather with a unique natural and raw finish. Innovative lozenge quilting for maximum support and minimum stretch.

MIDSOLE: Molded sockliner with full-length foam inserts for enhanced cushioning and great in-shoe comfort.

OUTSOLE: Lightweight TPU with three forefoot flex zones and textured stud tips for 360 degree ball control.

Players: Ronaldinho
Price: £110
Availability: 1st September 2008, Order Now
Colours: Black/Sail/Red and Platinum/Yellow/Green
Sizes: 6-12
Weight: 328g approx

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Let us know what you think of the RONALDINHO DOIS

New Nike video - Take It To The Next Level.

If you’re planning to watch the Champions League semi final, 2nd leg between Manchester United and Barcelona, and why wouldn’t you be, make sure you’re in your chair or on your bar stool a few minutes before kick off.

Whilst the pre match chat is normally an ideal opportunity for a cuppa or trip to the bar, at Footy Boots we will definitely stayed glued to the screen to watch the airing of a brand new Nike commercial, directed by none other than Guy ‘Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels’ Ritchie.

Entitled, ‘Take It To The Next Level’ , the ad charts the progression of a young football player from his beginnings in non-league football through to competing at the highest level for his country.

Some of the world’s best football players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Marco Materazzi and Rafael Marquez, feature in the all-action two-minute commercial which unfolds from the player’s first-hand perspective - the viewer is the player and is in the middle of all the action - on and off the pitch in all its glory.

The ad certainly hit the mark as far as Rooney was concerned. Asked for his advice to any budding young player he said “I think the advice I’d give to them is, as in any walk of life and in any sport, the main thing you have to do is work hard. If you work hard, practice everyday and make sure you are determined! I think with those three things you can then set yourself a good platform to go on and do well.”

And Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas said the journey portrayed by the player in the commercial was very similar to his experiences as a youngster at Arsenal. “For me all went very quickly and it’s the truth that it was an incredible experience, because I was playing as a substitute and here and there trained with the first team with players like Henry, Pires, Bergkamp. All these players who make you grow. It was just an incredible experience for me.”

Nike describe the commercial as follows.

To get to the next level in football, you need a fine-tuned combination of skill, physical fitness, mental toughness, emotional control, the best products and a bit of luck. This journey is the ultimate roller-coaster ride - it is not quick, pretty or easy and there are plenty of surprises along the way. You see what it takes to get discovered - what it takes to keep improving. You live the ups and downs, the glory and the sacrifice, the fun and insanity a modern footballer experiences on his journey up the ranks of the game.

The viewer quickly finds out that it is essential to adapt to every new situation technically, physically and mentally. The progression sees you meet constant challenges, work as part of a team, show ultimate commitment to training, be the victim of bad fouls, celebrate wins, be under pressure to deliver at critical match-deciding moments be humbled by other star players. The journey has some obvious advantages - glamorous evenings out with your beautiful girlfriend and adoring fans shouting your name and clambering for your autograph.

The story starts when you are spotted by Arsene Wenger at a non-league youth fixture after scoring the winning free-kick. You no longer hear about Arsenal’s results on the television - you are there - playing for the team - using the Player’s entrance. Cesc Fabregas kisses you in one match (a bit worrying) and screams at you in the next match (OK, that’s better).

You absorb the energy and emotion from passionate screaming fans who pack football stadiums when you play in the Manchester United v Arsenal clash in the English FA Premier League and you face teams such as Inter Milan and FC Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League.

You see first-hand the power of Wayne Rooney’s kick, the accuracy of Zlatan Ibrahimovich’s shot, Cristiano Ronaldo’s dazzling skills and incredible pace and Marco Materazzi’s man-marking. Ronaldinho smiles when he shakes your hand during the line-up at Camp Nou, but his spectacular dribble leaves you far from smiling.

The journey culminates in a dramatic Final between Holland and Portugal (right, I’m Dutch - no problem, I can do rock music and pretty girls). You are up against Cristiano Ronaldo once again. Your team-mates Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Wesley Schneijder play the ball into you and urge you to ‘Take It To The Next Level’ - even on this stage.

Director Guy Ritchie was obviously in his element during the shoot. He said “This is the largest advert I have filmed. Usually I do one commercial a year. Essentially this is like shooting a feature film on this one. So we spent a week in Barcelona, a couple of days up in Manchester. I think it’s 9 days overall which is long for a commercial.

“The footballers we’ve been working with were very nice fellas. Cristiano Ronaldo was a particularly nice chap. Also Ruud Van Nistelroy played football with my son for 20 minutes which made him very happy. They’ve all been very, very accommodating.”

Thanks to Nike, Footy Boots has obtained a sneak preview of the commercial so ahead of the debut showing, you can catch a glimpse right here.

Brazil v Argentina - Copa America Final 15th July 2007

It’s Messidona vs Robbo this weekend in the much-awaited final of the Copa America 2007 tournament. The old rivals of Brazil and Argentina will play in the Final on Sunday, in a repeat of the last Copa final, which Brazil won on penalities. In this tournament two stars and their football boots have shined the brightest from both teams, Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Robson de Souza also known as Robinho.

The Teams - Argentina
Tournament favourites Argentina have lived up to their billing as the team to beat with a series of impressive victories throughout the stages. Fielding a full strength team, including star names such as Messi (Adidas), Riquelme (Adidas Predator Champions League) and Crespo (Umbro X Boot III), a victory in the final would give them their first Copa America win since 1993, and more importantly give the fans the pride in having beaten their oldest and archest rivals, in a game which is sure to have the whole of South America rocking! Adidas football boot wearer Lionel Messi, back wearing Adidas F30 Tunit football boots, has become the unlikely sex-symbol of the team, and indeed the tournament, with his name being chanted during games and even one female supporter hurling herself from the stands to hug the Peter-Beardsley-lookalike Messi before he entered the locker room tunnel. Luckily, his performances on the pitch have been equally attractive, as has that of team-mate Juan Román Riquelme, currently second in the race to be the tournament’s top scorer, behind Brazil’s Robinho.

The Teams - Brazil

Brazil, led by coach Dunga, have been heavily criticised back home for the lack of style that Brazilian fans have become accustomed to over many years. But in their defence, any side missing the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho, who were “too tired” to make the trip, would find it difficult to replicate the considered standard that is expected of them. Even missing their super-stars, Brazil will be happy to have made the final, and will feel they have the psychological edge over an under pressure Argentinian team. With leading scorer Robinho, wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor III football boots, within their ranks, Brazil are sure to pump up the pressure and beat their samba drums in an electrifying final match!

The Final - Footy Boots Prediction

In terms of the football boots, it’s Nike vs Adidas in the final - with the battle extending to the football shirts, as Nike sponsor Brazil and Adidas sponsor Argentina! Regular visitors to Footy Boots will be aware and will acclaim our predictions which can be so uncannily accurate that it seems like the players read our stories before they play, and then go out and make it happen. This time, our weight is behind Argentina - a safe bet you might say, but with a quality squad and world class players through the team, this is surely their best chance to snatch the coveted award from Brazil, who have failed to find their footing without their stars to carry and lift them.

Vamos, vamos Argentina!

Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho 10R Barcelona Red Football Boots

Nike are releasing a new colourway of the Tiempo Ronaldinho 10R football boot, and as a mark of respect or as a marketing ploy, the new colourway features in Ronaldinho’s team colours: Barcelona red. Footy-Boots brings you new images of Ronaldinho’s new football boots that will soon be worn by probably the most gifted and skillful player currently playing the game!

The new Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho will be available from 1st August 2007.

Read more about Ronaldinho’s football boots.

Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho White Football Boots

Nike recently launched a new colourway for the extremely successful Nike 10R Tiempo football boot, created for its superstar player Ronaldinho. The new colourway is in pearl white, featuring dark blue touches and a sprinkling of metallic gold that echoes the class and value of its signature player.

The Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho was created with the guiding hand of Ronaldinho, who is credited with designing size of the enhanced sweet spot on the in-step of the football boot, the sweet spot that the player maximises to devastating effect during his scintillating runs and passes. The expanded sweet spot has been made possible by covering the lacing system with a fold over tongue and smoothing the inner foot area.

The resultant football boot, be it in the classic black upper or the new pearl white, is a quality football boot that can meet and exceed the demands of the world’s best players. Whilst the new yellow Nike Total 90 Laser worn by Wayne Rooney favour speed, power and robustness, the Tiempo remains a football boot that exudes all those factors, but seeks the company of players whose touch, elegance and skill are in a class of their own.

Technical Details:

UPPER: High performance kangaroo leather with a unique fusion of strength, durability and touch. Molded Sockliner with full-length Poron inserts for enhanced cushioning.

OUTSOLE: Lightweight TPU with three forefoot flex zones and textured stud tips for Ground Control. For use on firm, natural surfaces.

Price: £100

View Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho 10R Pearl White Football Boots images.

Jamie Carragher sparkles as Liverpool dump Barcelona out of the Champions League

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher produced the performance of his life to keep Ronaldinho out of the game in a night which saw Liverpool progress to the last eight of the Champions League. Already 2-1 ahead following the first leg, Liverpool managed to miss a hat full of chances, twice hitting the woodwork in the first half alone. But it was the strength and power of Carragher to restrict the movement, passing and trickery of Barcelona wizard Ronaldinho that ensured Liverpool took the crown on an emotional night at Anfield. The result saw Liverpool lose 0-1 on the night, but a superior away goal advantage takes them through to the quarter finals.

Ronaldinho Football Boots - Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho
Barcelona’s Ronaldinho wore white Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho football boots for the first time, and it was unusual to see him gallop about the pitch in white footy boots. It was an intruiging decision as he wore the black football boots in the first leg and even this weekend in Barcelona’s loss to Seville. We will have to wait and see if Ronaldinho favours the white boots or goes back to black. Unfortunately the white colour of the football boots seemed to be an easier target for Jamie Carragher to spot and have a kick at whenever Ronaldinho got the ball!

Deco Football Boots - Umbro SX
Midfield maestro Deco wore the twin-coloured Umbro SX football boot, which was clearly not known to ITV’s commentator Clive Tyldesley who seemed amazed that Deco was wearing odd boots, as if it was a terrible mistake. This was followed by a close up of the offending pair for us all to see! For Clive’s benefit we can confirm Deco was wearing the Umbro football boot, the Umbro SX, which features one red football boot and one black boot under the slogan “Two Sides, One Goal”. Read more and see images of the Umbro SX football boot here.

Verdict: If Liverpool had a clinical striker to score all the chances they created, the scoreline would have been very different, but it is still a great result and sends a clear message out to the rest of Europe: Watch out, the Reds are ready to put the boot in all the way to the finals!

Jamie Carragher Football Boots
Defender Jamie Carragher always gives 100% for his team, and plays football with pride, heart and aggression. Jamie Carragher wears the Puma King SL.

Craig Bellamy swaps his golf shoes for football boots and tees up Liverpool for the next round of the Champions League.

Craig Bellamy silenced his critics with a goal and assist which helped Liverpool to a monumental 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League. It was Barcelona’s first home defeat in Europe since April 2003 and only their second loss in 20 matches in the competition in the last two seasons. By beating Barca, Liverpool became only the second English team to beat them at the Nou Camp in a game which was hailed as the battle of the champions.

Bellamy Boots

Bellamy had earlier this week been fined a reported £80,000 following his swing at fellow Nou Camp scorer John-Arne Riise at an Algarve golf course last week. But swapping his golf shoes for Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho’s proved a sensible choice, as Bellamy headed home for Liverpool from a Xabi Alonso taken free kick. Bellamy even celebrated the goal by practising his golf swing! Barcelona had gone ahead in the 14th minute after some trademark footwork by Ronaldinho released Gianluca Zambrotta on the left. Zambrotta darted forward sending in a cross for Deco to arrive unmarked and head inside the far post for the first goal of the match.

The tense second half provided a shock for the Barca fans as Bellamy’s sparring partner John Arne Riise smashed home a right-foot shot into the roof of the net for a Liverpool winner with 74 minutes of the game gone. Bellamy of course provided the pass for his new chum Riise to score which made the storyline complete.

Liverpool were worthy winners as Barcelona were a poor shadow of the side that were winners of the competition last season, and Liverpool will be highly confident of emerging through this incredibly tough tie to reach the Champions League quarter finals when they play the second leg on 6th March.

Bellamy rounded the night off by saying “I’m still gob-smacked.” - a feeling his team mate Riise knew only too well last week!

Craig Bellamy Football Boots

Wild man Craig Bellamy kept his Nike Mercurial Vapor III’s in the locker room and went to the field against Barcelona in Ronaldinho’s signature football boot, the Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho.

Order this football boot - buy now