Steven Gerrard is a man who eats, sleeps and breathes the adidas Predator. Cut him and he’d probably bleed three stripes.

The Liverpool and England star has been a Predator fan since he persuaded his father to cough up for a pair when he was just 14 years of age.

At the time, the price of a pair of Pred’s caused the family some hardship. Not so now. Gerrard is one of the biggest names in world football and has become the quintessential adidas ambassador.

Gerrard just adores the Predator. Indeed, he tends to fall in love with certain boots and it seems that sometimes it’s hard for the adidas hierarchy to get him to move on to the latest model.

But there should be no problem with the Predator_X. As you will see from this latest adidas video, Gerrard looks to be genuinely impressed with the 10th incarnation of the Predator with only injury keeping him away from debuting the boots along with the likes of Berbatov, Raul and Simao.

During the video, Gerrard looks back at some of the older Predator models that he’s worn during his career, describes the Predator_X as “light and comfortable” while admitting that he’s something of a boot traditionalist, which rather points to the fact that he’ll be wearing the Black / White / Red colourway when he’s fit and back in the Liverpool first team.

To watch the Steven Gerrard Predator_X video, click here.

Following the successful virals featuring Wayne Rooney, Franck Ribery and Theo Walcott, Nike has released the next in the ‘Make the Difference’ series with Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin.

There is, however, something of a cruel twist in the timing.

The video shows Arshavin, who wears the Mercurial Vapor Superfly football boot, as the victim of a bad foul, crashing to the turf whilst his team mates berate the opposition players.

The atmospheric voice-over suggest that Arshavin could limp away from the action or instead, get back on his feet and re-enter the fray which of course is what he does.

Sad then that the player is out for up to three games after aggravating a groin injury while playing for Russia against Wales in midweek.

Annoyingly for Arsenal, this is certainly a case where life hasn’t imitated art.

Having been confirmed as the fastest player in the Premier League, it’s no surprise that Nike have followed up the news with a cool viral video focusing on Theo Walcott’s pace.

Theo Walcott laces up his Vapor Superfly football boots.

Fast is good, people take notice, but blistering pace is something different.

You could stop when they have done ‘enough’ and go no further, satisfied with being just another name on the team sheet.

Others aim to be the opposition’s worst nightmare, electric pace that strikes fear into the heart of defenders, making your mark on each and every match.

This is the difference. This is Theo Walcott. This is the time to earn total respect. To add to your reputation and to that of the shirt.

Theo Walcott holding the T90 Ascente Premier League football.

The video includes footage of Theo Walcott as a child playing local football, then at Southampton where he started his professional career before showing footage of Walcott at his current club Arsenal.

Watch the video and let us know what you think below.

Theo Walcott Make the Difference Video

The best kept secret in football is out, Lionel Messi will wear the new Adidas F50i football boots in the Champions League final.

As if pairing Manchester United and Barcelona together to slug out the world’s biggest club football tournament wasn’t enough, it’s now officially confirmed that Lionel Messi will also be showcasing a new pair of F50i football boots to top things off.

Since we revealed months ago that the F50i was hitting the shelves this summer and following our article on the tease images being stuck on posters around London, the clued up ones amongst you (that accounts for all the Footy Boots visitors) probably guessed that Messi would be showcasing the new F50i football boots in the final.

Lionel Messi:

With the extremely smooth external skin of the boot, I can play to my full potential. It allows me to make the perfect contact with the ball. It is also a fantastic colour.

Messi will be the first player to officially début the F50i football boots in an official game. He’ll be followed by a host of internationals when they feature in World Cup qualifying matches on June 6th.

Messi has also been filmed for Adidas alongside Adidas ambassador Zinedine Zidane to support the campaign.

Here’s the advert, followed by an exclusive behind the scenes film.

Every Team Needs a Spark

Plus, even more Football Boot Videos

The road to broadband heaven!

Umbro have released a brand new video aimed at promoting the launch of the 2009 FA Umbro Fives tournament.

Tottenham players Darren Bent and Michael Dawson are featured in the video, as both turn their hand to management, taking charge of a London side with their eyes firmly focussed on qualifying.

Filmed at the Goals Soccer Centre in Wembley, Bent and Dawson passed on a few tips to their respective charges who are hoping to go all the way to the finals of the tournament at Wembley.

The 2009 FA Umbro Fives tournament, which is now open for registration, is the nation’s most prestigious small sided football tournament aimed at finding the best five-a-side football team in the country. Now in its third year, teams will do battle up and down the country over the coming months intent on achieving one goal - a place in The FA Umbro Fives Finals at the home of English football - Wembley Stadium on the 20th June 2009.

The tournament, which is already underway, is open to both men’s and women’s teams of any ability that are over 18 years of age. Team’s can sign up to enter the qualifying heats online by simply logging on to the official site.

Each team that progresses to the final will be treated to the ultimate Wembley experience. As well as travelling on the England bus, they will get access to the main player changing rooms, walk out of the Wembley tunnel and sing the national anthem on the pitch with the other finalists. The overall winners of the tournament will climb the famous Wembley steps to receive their trophy.

For your chance to put you and your team mates on the road to Wembley glory, simply enter your team and find out about your local heats by logging on to www.TheFA.com/UmbroFives.

Here at Footy Boots, we’ve always been staggered by the lengths that some fans will go to get a look at a new pair of football boots.

As if to reinforce the point, this new video shows a couple of industrious boot spotters sneaking their way around the Chelsea training ground trying to get a look at some new footwear.

As luck would have it, both Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard decided on a little extra practice on the day, giving the boot spotter a fantastic opportunity to grab a first hand look at their new Adidas football boots.

And fair play to them. They took the risk of getting caught and ended up with an exclusive. You make your own luck in this game don’t you?

Mind you, it probably helped to have a ‘helping hand’ behind the scenes….

Over the past couple of days, Footy Boots has shown you a clutch of unique videos that were made recently for sports-memorabilia.eu But, we’ve saved the best till last.

The final film in the collection is an all Arsenal affair starring Ray Parlour, Alan Smith and Paul Merson.

Parlour and Smith are on hand to recall the good old days while Paul’s memories seem to be somewhat cloudy.

The video will also get it’s UK national TV debut today as it features on Sky Sports ‘Soccer AM’ Christmas Day show (Sky Sports 1, 10.00am to 12.30pm).

The 3 ex players put in a great performance alongside auctioneer Russ Williams and a strangely familiar looking bloke who’s assisting on stage.

You can watch the whole series of these Football Auction Video’s in the Footy Boots TV room.

Enjoy and Happy Christmas from all the Footy Boots team.

Yesterday on Footy Boots, we showed you the first 2 of 4 exclusive films that we’ve been given access to by sports-memorabilia.eu.

Today we’ve 2 more with another host of famous faces.

If you missed yesterday’s instalments, you can catch them here and you’ll also want to know about our offering on Christmas Day when we’ll be showing a very special film starring Ray Parlour, Alan Smith and Paul Merson which is also going to be aired in the UK on Sky Sports ‘Soccer AM’ Christmas Day show (Sky Sports 1, 10.00am to 12.30pm). Make sure you keep an eye out for that one.

Today though, we first concentrate on auctioneer Russ Williams who is selling 5 impressive properties on behalf of former Arsenal and England star Ray Parlour. How much will they bring in for the ‘Romford Pele’?

In the second video, despite some top display action from the auctioneer’s assistant (who is that bloke?) the Spurs shirt on offer isn’t expected to raise more than a few quid. But you can never count out the generosity of those old Arsenal players can you?

Don’t forget to log on to Footy Boots on Xmas day for the jewel in the crown of the film collection, the Parlour / Smith / Merson special.

Footy Boots is continually striving to find the best football video’s on the web and this week we’ve  been granted access to some exclusive films made on behalf of sports-memorabilia.eu.

The video’s, five in total, feature a number of former players, many of whom are still very high profile due to the punditry work they are doing for TV and radio.

Over the next 2 days, we’ll bring you the first 4 films and then on Christmas Day, a special video, starring Ray Parlour, Alan Smith and Paul Merson which is also going to be aired in the UK on Sky Sports ‘Soccer AM’ Christmas Day show (Sky Sports 1, 10.00am to 12.30pm).

In the first film, auctioneer Russ Williams is attempting to sell a piece of history at a very special price. What on earth could go wrong?

In film number 2, a pair of David Beckham’s football boots are up for grabs before the auctioneer gets rudely interrupted. Keep your eye on the auctioneers assistant (we’re sure he look’s familiar) and also for a few famous faces in the audience.

Don’t forget to log on to Footy Boots tomorrow for 2 more Auction Video films with another impressive cast list and again on Xmas day for the Parlour / Smith / Merson special.

You’re all alone in the changing room. Just you, your thoughts and your Adidas F50.9 TUNiT’s.

What on earth can you do to amuse yourself before your team mates turn up?

Well, in the case of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, the answer is pretty simple. Listen to the radio which Adidas have kindly built in to his football boots. Not sure about his choice of music though!

Emmanuel Adebayor ‘Radio’ Adidas Video

Meanwhile, another Adidas player on his lonesome is Adebayor’s Arsenal team mate Robin van Persie.Out on the pitch in his new Adidas Predator Swerve’s, the Dutchman proves just how hard the Adidas footwear can propel a football as he slams it in to the goal stanchion via the cross bar where, having been hit with such oomph, it remains for a moment or two before hitting the turf.

Robin van Persie ‘Rebound’ Adidas Video

You can check out more video’s at Footy Boots TV.

Now that the BBC has celebrated it’s annual Sports Personality of the Year shindig (and well done to all the current footballers who were shortlisted – all none of you) it’s time to get down to the real thing as we publish the  Footy Boots Xmas Awards 2008, otherwise known as The Studdies.

Congratulations to all the winners, commiserations to the also-rans and please remember, it’s just for fun so don’t get arsey if we have a pop at you.

Most embarrassing football boot moment of the year - Umbro

Even after all these months, it’s hard not to still feel sorry for John Terry. A more honest pro it would be hard to find and he also seems to have cleaned up his act off the pitch too. So it’s doubly painful to recall his dreadful experience in the Champions League final against Manchester United. There he stands, with a penalty to win the trophy…he runs up and whoops-a-daisy, his Umbro SX Valor’s let him down and he ends up on his backside as his spot kick hits the post. The Umbro hierarchy must have been choking on their prawn sandwiches at that point. The Luzhniki Stadium bar probably did a roaring trade in finest Russian vodka that night as sorrows were drowned.

Best football boot launch of the year - Bikkembergs

As the actor Christopher Lambert says in Highlander “There can be only one.” And indeed there is. Take a bow Dirk Bikkembergs. His new football boot was launched at the Stazione Leopolda, Florence. In true Bikkembergs tradition, the Tirosegno was displayed sixtyfold on top of black lacquered columns and overlooked by 10 gigantic pictures. These pictures were at first hidden by black curtains in an even darker room. The guests received a torchlight and discovered the reflective qualities of the Tirosegno while walking amidst the columns. One by one, the pictures were uncovered during a countdown, at the end of which the room was totally lit up by a set of dazzling stadium lights coming from behind a stage packed with 100 male models wearing the new boot. Pure class.

Most cringing football boot quote of the year – Nike & Niklas Bendtner

Oh dear, oh dear oh dear oh dear. A few days after the launch of the Nike Mercurial Vapor Berry, the Arsenal striker came out with this little gem. “I love it. I always wanted to play in a pink boot ever since I was young. I never saw anyone play in a boot like it. I think it’s an outstanding colour and looks amazing.” Nothing about winning a World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final or even becoming a better player. No, not for Niklas. His dream – to play in a pink boot. What’s next on the Bendtner list of things to accomplish? Buying a family bucket from Kentucky Fried Chicken perhaps?

Best performance in a new boot

There have been players who have scored when wearing a boot for the first time, midfielders who’ve bossed a game and defenders who have singlehandedly kept the opposition at bay. But this year’s award goes to a player who lost the match in which he debuted his new footwear. Playing in goal for Real Madrid isn’t easy right now but Iker Casillas was in inspired form when he lined up against Barcelona just the other day. The Spanish international produced a string of world class saves in his Reebok Valde Pro’s and even kept out a penalty before he was beaten at the death by Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi.

Most over blown, over hyped nonsense of the year – Nike Mercurial Vapor Berry

Franck Ribery starred in a video promoting them and, as mentioned above, Niklas Bendtner’s dream came true when he played in them. But 24 days after they were first shown to the world, the limited edition pink Berry’s took a major back seat in the final round of group matches in the Champions League as Ribery, Bendtner and a host of other Nike players all turned out in the new Vapor Citron. 24 days! That’s not limited. That’s virtually extinct.

Best football boot video of the year – Puma v1.08 Pink

We’ve seen some fantastic CGI this year, some amazing trickery and interviews and an astonishing range of intricate and wonderfully creative ideas. But this video has loads going for it in spades. First off, there’s a gorgeous model, wearing only a pink bikini, socks and high heels. And she’s talking French. Sexily. Not bad. But the clincher is that Nicolas Anelka, the pink v1.08 ambassador, is in shot the entire time, tied to a chair and gagged, which means he doesn’t utter a word. What more do you need in a video?

Best football boot competition of the year – Nike

A brilliant idea this, getting fans to design a pair of boots to be worn by Nike’s contracted players in the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United. The competition produced over 15,000 entries with the winners treated to a VIP day out at the game itself to see their creations being worn on the pitch. Theo Walcott received more designs than any other player so hats off to Ben Pricthard who came up with the winning Vapor boot. The Footy Boots favourite was Cesc Fabregas’s Tiempo by Jan Szabala.

So, thats our list. If you think any brand or particular football boot deserves an award, then use the comments section below for your suggestions.

Happy Christmas.

Dodo cartoon from www.urmstonartcompany.co.uk 

For the latest Footy Boots video we’ve sought the opinion of the Director of Football at Ryman League One South side, Walton Casuals. Why you might ask? Well, it turns out that the man in question just happens to be one of the most opinionated experts in the game.

In his playing days, Tony Gale had spells at West Ham United and Fulham and also one Premiership winning season at Blackburn Rovers in 1994 / 95.

After he hung up his boots, he made a name for himself as a pundit on London’s Capital Gold radio station before he was snapped up by Sky Sports where he is now considered to be amongst the most erudite and knowledgeable colour men on TV today.

Never short of a decent one liner, Gale gave Footy Boots his opinion on football boots and as you will see for yourself, one thing is very clear….Gale is a stud man, no moulded soles or blades for him!

Ray Parlour has been in the press this week talking about pink boots, and the former Arsenal man wasn’t holding back. If you are of a nervous disposition or have already bought a pair of the eye-catching boots, it’s probably best if you look away now. This is what Ray had to say:

You’ve got to be banging in 3 goals a game to wear pink football boots.

Ronaldo can get away from it, Bendtner has not been great the last few games. Why would you want to wear pink football boots?

Wearing brightly coloured football boots sends out a bad message, you look arrogant or flash. Players want to kick you more when you are wearing pink boots.

If I was marking someone with pink boots, I’d certainly want to kick them hard.

So that’s clear then! But what else does the ‘Romford Pele’ have to say on the subject of football boots?

Footy Boots caught up with the two times double winner to ask those crucial football boot questions.

Ray Parlour Talks Football Boots