It promises to be a great game in Rome tonight as Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League final.
And for the football boot enthusiast, it could be the pinnacle of the season with a host of new boots on show.
Lionel Messi – adidas F50i football boots
Much has been made of this boot of late with adidas coming out all guns blazing in a big-time marketing launch including posters, videos and of course, an on-pitch debut by the Argentine magician.
adidas will hope that the Barcelona player enjoys more freedom than he did against Chelsea in the semi final and that the biggest club stage of all provides an effective back drop to their most important launch for some time.
Footy Boots Final Factor
A very handy 8.5 / 10
Most Interesting Bet'
Messi to miss a penalty – 16 / 1
Michael Carrick – Puma King XL
Not exactly new boots, but new to Carrick as he’s had them personalised for the big game.
The United player has had the words “UCL Final Rome 2009” stitched to the outside of each boot and “MC 16”, his initials and squad number, added to the tongue.
Big job tonight to keep the multi talenet Barca midfield quiet.
Footy Boots Final Factor
Could go either way – 5.5 / 10
Most Interesting Bet'
To be substituted – 11/ 4
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Ryan Giggs / Thierry Henry – Reebok Instante
It’s been a soft launch from Reebok as they try and repeat their success of last year when Giggs turned out in a unique pair of KFS Sprintfit Pro II’s.
But they have come up with a nice video which you can see here.
Footy Boots Final Factor'
Two quality players so a quality 7.5 / 10
Most Interesting Bet
Thierry Henry to score in any minute with 8 in it – 8 / 1
(And if we’d have found a picture of these two training together, now that would have been a story!)
Cristiano Ronaldo – Nike Vapor Superfly
Not new boots of course, but after his performances against Porto and Arsenal in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively, far too important to leave out of the equation. Plus, we found this excellent image of him training last night.
Footy Boots Final Factor
Potential match winner – 9 / 10
Most Interesting Bet'
To score opening goal 3 / 1
I wonder if Eto’o will debut the new black with gold V1.08’s?
Messi’s boots weren’t TUNIT
he was wearing rivetted studs on his F50i
Yes he did, to me they were the more attractive colourway on the pitch but no boot caught more attention then the f50i’s. All debuting boots made a great first impression.
=)Go barca!!!=)
Too bad red devils.. The boulgrana was just to great to overcome this year. Club championship here we come..;D
Messi never plays with the tunit system
@Jihn: Yeah, I’ve noticed that too! Seems to me he plays with the F30’s instead, he probably likes the fit of them better.
ronaldo is the best
messi is dog