Ever asked yourself, what football boots does Lionel Messi wear? What about Iniesta? Neymar? Ter Stegen? Okay, maybe not so much Ter Stegen. But we started asking ourselves these very questions. So we’ve put together a guide that details the entire Barca squad’s choice of football boots as of 2017.
What football boots do the Barcelona players play in for the 2016/17 season?
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Adidas 16.1 PrimeKnit
Few goalkeepers can justify wearing one of football’s best boots…for midfielders. The Ace 16.1 PrimeKnits are notorious for being the footwear of the Mesut Ozils of the game, and their qualities in enhancing passing and control seem wasted on goalkeepers. However, thanks to the likes of Pep Guardiola and his successors, the rise of Tika Taka has established the role of a keeper as very much involving passing. So crack on Marc-Andre, wear those bad boys in style.
Gerard Pique- Nike Tiempo Legend VI
Again, centre-backs are usually limited to one small, dark shelf in the boot room. One filled with classic black Umbros, or something else equally as plain and unglamorous. But Pique is no usual centre-back. He is the definition of composure, solidarity and reliability. He’s won numerous La Liga titles, Euro Championships, Copa Del Reys, Champions Leagues, Premier Leagues, a World Cup and, and he has Shakira as a wife. But for us, he was never quite winning life until he sported the Nike Tiempo Legends.
Jordi Alba- Adidas Ace 17.1 Leather
We are not the biggest fan of Jordi Alba. Not only did he flee from Valencia at the height of their financial troubles, running to the Nou Camp, but he also represents the male half of the world’s population horrendously by diving at every and any opportunity. Damn it why does he have to be so good at football? And it is even harder to hate the man when he wears Adidas’ Ace 17.1 Leather football boots. He has no integrity, contributes to the poison that has infiltrated modern football and has a dodgy beard that screams he is a man who cannot be trusted, but his boots are just too damn nice.
Jeremy Mathieu – Adidas Ace 17.1 PrimeKnit
AGAIN, like his mate Marc-Andre, Mathieu has no right wearing boots like these. As a centre-back of his type, he should be in the blackest of black Diadoras. For some reason he just reminds us of the tank that was Philippe Senderos, and while at Valencia he didn’t exactly stand out for us. His move to Barca was kind of baffling, but fair play to him, he has done the business since he has been there. Probably all down to his football boots, Adidas really can do wonders.
Javier Mascherano – Nike Magista Opus II
The fact that Javier was once (and still is when played in that position) a world class midfielder, and yet is now playing as a centre-back, tell you everything you need to know about Barca’s playing style. The Argentinian seems to have been around for years, dating back to his remarkable move with fellow countryman Carlos Tevez and his successful spell at Liverpool, to his now veteran-status in the Barca team. He is still dictating the play from the back, dishing those passes round and thundering into challenges with the help of his Magista Opus boots.
Iniesta – Nike Magista Opus II
Similarly to his clubmate Mascherano, the little Spanish magician dons the Nike Magista Opus II football boots. Lighter than its previous model, the Opus IIs allow for closer traction to the pitch, meaning agility is enhanced. Iniesta is the first player who comes to mind when agility is mentioned, and these boots are tailored towards players with a game similar to his – he could dribble his way out of Azkaban if he wanted to.
Sergio Busquets – Nike Magista Opus II
After slating his apprentice, Alba, for diving, it is only right that we credit the master with some acknowledgment. Busquets is a great player, nothing too special but slots into the Barca midfield seamlessly, but he isn’t half a nob. The Opus football boots’ mesh upper enhance control to the max as they’re softer than most other competitors. This benefits Busquets greatly as it cushions his fall when he collapses after succumbing to an aggressive and powerful tap to the shin. Basically, we are calling him a fairy.
Ivan Rakitic – Adidas Ace 17+ Purecontrol
A great footballer matched by some great football boots. The Purecontrols are some of the best models out there and are best suited for midfielders. Control, agility and passing are all enhanced massively, and we really are big fans of these from Adidas. Rakitic would probably be eating pies and playing for Sutton United if it weren’t for these Purecontrols.
Sergi Roberto – Nike Magista Obra II
Another member of the Magista gang. Roberto used to be the shit on Football Manager. He was always that youngster who you’d buy at 16 and he’d blossom into a solid £30 mil profit. Him along with John Bostock. But he is playing somewhere in Scotland now, so that just shows you the importance of good football boots. They could be the difference between Barcelona or Brechin City.
Luis Suarez – Adidas X 16.1
What can we say about Suarez? He is one of the best forwards in the world. He wins trophies, destroys defences and scores for fun wherever he goes, but he also eats living people. But hey, if UEFA, FIFA and generally the whole of football don’t care, then neither do we. He is killing things in Spain with the help of the Adidas X 16.1 boots.
Lionel Messi – Adidas Messi 16.1
Not many players on the planet have their own football boots. I once stuck a sticker on an old pair I had which said ‘kick it’, but I don’t think that really counts. You don’t need us to tell you about the Argentinian and his career. We’re only here to tell you that he wears his own, Messi 16.1 football boots. Amazing.
Neymar – Nike Mercurial Vapour VI
The Mercurials are quality models. They look stylish, which is the bare minimum for someone of Neymar charisma. They almost seem too boring for him, with his skills on the pitch as well as his questionable choice of hairstyle. But fair play to the Brazilian, he is still very young and has bags of potential. Will Neymar play out his career at the Nou Camp? Maybe. Will he continue to smash it in the Mercurial Vapours? Definitley.
