R9 Generational Talent

It’s not taking a big risk saying that @ronaldo ’s Nike Mercurial R9 1998 are, probably, the most iconic boots ever wore by a football player. You can show them at every football fan born in the 80’s (or even later) and he will immediately recognize who they belong to. You have to admit that the colour scheme combination of silver, yellow and blue, blend with the beautiful jersey of Brazil was a clever combo by Nike, but, for my personal opinion this is not what made them special

I think everybody remembers them simply because they coincide with Ronaldo’s prime. Like, even if Brazil lost in the final, the 98 World Cup is the biggest football event in which we have seen him in action in his prime years (arguably 96- 2000, and even if he won a Ballon d’Or in 2002, he was already different), before his tremendous injuries. And R9 pre-injury was a ruthlessly efficient player, accelerating with an unmatched velocity and aggressivity with the goal in his sights, fooling and dumbing rivals like they were kids.

I remember playing with him in the first Playstation’s famous game « ISS PRO Evolution Soccer 2 » (where you could see him wearing those boots!), just for dribbling past the goalkeepers with the 🟥 + ❌ – Combo. Glory old days…