You never forget your first pair of boots. Whether brand new ones that a friendly sports shop took down from a high shelf on a birthday or Christmas, or battered old pair that your older sibling once wore, the design of footballing footwear can leave a lasting legacy.
You don't even have to have worn a style of football boots to have fond memories of them. Whether it was a specific colourway, boots worn by your hero, boots you scored a particular goal wearing, or just a detail you liked: the tongue, the shape, a flash of white, bit of gold.
But what are generally considered the best football boots ever? It's a question that has long plagued us at FourFourTwo. Over the past century, the boot has evolved from a necessary piece of equipment designed to keep you from falling on your ass, to a bonafide fashion statement, an edge over opponents.
Boot rooms around the world have been populated with plenty - but on our list, we've considered only the most iconic...
The 50 best football boots ever: according to FourFourTwo
50. Puma v1.06, 2004
Stars who wore them: Robert Pires, Samuel Eto'o, Alexander Hleb
Puma gave us plenty of classics in the 2000s: those sleeveless Cameroon tops, the World Cup-winning jersey from Italy and, of course, these bold boots.
Supported with plasticky heels but with that same Puma King swoosh design, these were a great update on the classic. That clean striking zone, made possible thanks to the laces cover, really adds to the clean design. Oh, and the colourway was 'grass' which sometmes made it looks like players had no feet when you watched on TV.
49. Adidas Predator Absolute, 2006
Stars who wore them: Zinedine Zidane, Steven Gerrard, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard
While the rest of football wore a white, gold and black version of the Adidas Predator Absolute during the 2006 World Cup, French star Zinedine Zidane was afforded the luxury of a 'back to front' pair.
The Frenchman's predominantly gold boots were rooted into the turf as he sent a head butt into the chest of Marco Materazzi. An iconic boot through association, as well as pure style.
48. Lotto Campionato, 2002
Stars who wore them: Cafu, Andriy Shevchenko
The Ballon d'Or winner wore Lotto boots, back when Andriy Shevchenko was declared winner of the prize in 2004.
These particular boots were rare: not your usual black but still classy enough that your dad would like them. And that copper colour? Pretty unique, and very Y2K.
47. Adidas Predator Elite, 2023
Stars who wore them: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Pedri
Trent Alexander-Arnold rocked the football boot world when he strode onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium in Autumn 2023 wearing a pair of Adidas Predators, complete with a tongue that hadn't been seen in over 15 years. It took everyone by surprise, even Adidas. The companies VP of Design even admited to us at FourFourTwo "that's not supposed to happen!"
The Liverpool man looked exceptional in the white and red colourway, and even bagged from outside the area to earn his side a draw. Plenty more colourways arrived, harking a new era of the iconic Predator.
46. Adidas X17+ Purespeed, 2017
Stars who wore them: Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez, Gabriel Jesus
These boots were gold. Need we say more? Oh go on then... The gold was one thing, but the shimmering fish scale texture and laceless uppers made them all the more alluring. A boot built for a king - or a pharaoh in Salah's case - that was all about speed and arrogance.
45. Puma Ultra Ultimate x Liberty, 2022
Stars who wore them: Laura Weinroither
A women-specific football boot, Puma created bespoke versions of the Ultra Ultimate ahead of the 2022 Euros in collaboration with British retailer Liberty, which decided on floral patterns and customised logos on top of a white base to present an extremely clean, unique design.
Looking more like a piece of artwork rather than a football boot, it's a surprise players even wanted to get these dirty out on the pitch.
44. Puma evoSPEED 1.2 Tricks, 2014
Stars who wore them: Cesc Fabregas, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann
Literally everything in the world of football boots had been done by the time Puma began reinventing the wheel with these ones. What if... it was cool to have odd boots?
Well, that's what the German brand decided to do for the 2014 World Cup, with the right boot coming in a hot pink colourway while the left was an unmissable turquoise. The rule book was in tatters.
43. Umbro Zypro, 2002
Stars who wore them: Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Henrik Larsson
Who could forget the sight of a schoolboy Wayne Rooney thundering one past Arsenal's David Seaman in these on his 2002 debut? The boots were perfect for the young Wazza, resembling a hand-me-down, street footballer's take on a golden slipper.
Remember the name, Wayne Rooney. Don't forget the boots, either.
42. Lotto Stadio, 1973
Stars who wore them: Dino Zoff, Davor Suker, Paul Gascoigne
Like other classic football boots mentioned later on this list, the Lotto Stadio is still going strong more than 50 years later, with the plush K-leather upper remaining and that classic foldover tongue looking as resplendent as ever.
Players from across history have enjoyed playing in the Lotto Stadio, and unsurprisingly their is a 'football Italia' feel, with Dino Zoff the first to trot out in a pair. The turn of the millennium brought about the most high-profile names in football, with traditionalists now opting for the Stadios in the modern day.
41. Nike Mercurial Superfly 7, 'Chosen 2', 2021
Stars who wore them: Kylian Mbappe
Back in 2021, Nike wanted to celebrate two of the brand's most famous athletes: Kylian Mbappe and basketball star LeBron James. Celebrating the challenges each athlete faced to get to where they did, the Chosen 2 boot shimmered under the lights on the single occasion Mbappe wore them.
The double swoosh is supposed to represent both players, while the insole of the right boot read 'LeBron' one way and 'Kylian' the other, such was the thought Nike put into the design.
40. New Balance Furon V7+ x Aime Leon Dore, 2024
Stars who wore them: Bukayo Saka
Aimé Leon Dore is a New York City-based fashion brand that focus on high-quality products that blend classic and contemporary style and draw inspiration from diverse cultural influences. Bukayo Saka is a footballer of high quality, a classic beat-your-man winger with a contemporary, close-control street style who epitomises the cultural diversity that makes modern English football so brilliant. This collaboration on the boots Saka wore at Euro 2024 was perfect, really.
39. Adidas Supernova, 2003
Stars who wore them: Patrick Vieira, Frank Lampard
The Adidas Supernova is an intriguing football boot. It was a standalone release, with no upgrade or rework later on, designed to capitalise on the Predator Mania's success, only go more minimal.
These black and silver beauties were short-lived but ultimately the last "proper old-school football boots" before Adi revisited the Copa range. A moment in time, indeed.
38. Nike, What The Mercurial, 2016
Stars who wore them: N/A
What do you do when you've made dozens of iconic Mercurial boots? Well... put them together into one product. Nike have done this kind of thing with shirts, too - Arsenal and Manchester City both got mash-up kits when they left the American manufacturer - and this special edition boot brings back all kinds of memories.
A total one off. If you bagged a pair, you're very lucky.
37. Lotto Zhero Gravity, 2006
Stars who wore them: Luca Toni, Andriy Shevchenko, Cafu
Lotto is a brand that players of the 80s and 90s love - so when the company started a research and development centre to make a new "Zhero Gravity" boot, you could understand if eyes rolled. In a brilliant feat of innovation, though, Lotto managed to produce the very first laceless football boots in history, a phenomenon that has since stuck around.
These white/gold efforts were beautiful and one we still look back on fondly.
36. Adidas F50 Elite Messi Trifuno Dorado, 2024
Stars who wore them: Lionel Messi
The boots worn by Lionel Messi at the 2024 Copa America finals (which Argentina won, of course). They paid homage to the various golden boots he has worn throughout out his career, like the gold F50's he wore during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A metallic gold base, with white three stripes and black and white applications, makes for a stunning look. Some of the graphic elements hark back to the 2011 generation of the boot. Adidas like to bring back signature looks for Messi ahead of major tournaments and gold is an obvious, and fitting colourway to opt for.
35. Nike Mercurial Vapor X, 2014
Stars who wore them: Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden Hazard
Sometimes, the colour of a football boot is enough to spark memories. That's true of 2014's coral Vapors which were worn by the great and the good in the blazing Brazilian sunshine. The low-cut version to the Mercurial Superfly, the Vapors were slightly more understated but arguably looked even better for it.
Lighter than ever, they certainly stand alongside most Vapors since. Bravo.
34. Adidas Predator, 1994
Stars who wore them: Paul Gascoigne, John Collins
Back in '94, Adidas brought out the first-ever Predator. Former Liverpool and Australian footballer Craig Johnston began experimenting in his garage by adding ping pong paddle covers to his football boots to try and improve the power and finesse of his shots, the German brand took over the patent and an iconic franchise was born.
John Collins scored the first-ever goal in the Predators, bagging against Rangers for Celtic in the Old Firm Derby. It is now a cornerstone of the football boot world.
33. Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II, 2010
Stars who wore them: Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba
The silver and orange colourway is iconic now. These were first shown to the world in an incredible Nike ad featuring Roger Federer, the greatest players on earth and Homer Simpson. They don't look as good now as they did then - they look better.
32. Adidas F50 Adizero, 2010
Stars who wore them: Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben, Dani Alves, David Villa
After a while the F50 just became Messi's boot. That's what happens when you're that good - but also when you hold one aloft after netting in a Champions League final. This iteration was particularly nice with the three stripes wrapping around the heel.
The boot was one of the original launch colourways that took the world by storm and used a revolutionary lightweight upper called 'SprintSkin'. Minimal stitching was used on the upper to reduce weight, and the rib cage like support on the interior added comfort and structure.
31. New Balance Furon Bambaly Edition, 2018
Stars who wore them: Sadio Mane
What's so nice about the Bambaly Furon from New Balance is that it pays tribute to a star who you wouldn't usually see custom boots for. Messi and Ronaldo have had their special editions, so Sadio Mane getting one is a lovely touch. These are quintessentially Senegalese. They still look awesome.
30. Nike Mercurial Superfly 4, 2014
Stars who wore them: Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery
"The 2014 Superfly makes a quantum leap forward in what high-performance boots can be" said Nike President and CEO, Mark Parker, at the Superfly IV launch event in 2014. He was right.
This boot changed the game somewhat in 2014 thanks to the introduction of Flyknit to football boots. Originally seen on the Magista earlier in 2014, Nike applied a new three-knit weave to the Superfly meaning there was less material between the foot and thus enhancing players’ touch. The high-top Dynamic Fit Collar, radically transformed the Mercurial silhouette from what it started life as in 1998. Note the tiny cables from the laces to the sole that helped with lockdown.
29. Nike Hypervenom Phantom, 2013
Stars who wore them: Neymar
Nike replaced their legendary Total 90 series with this lightweight Hypervenom range in 2013. The lacing system was the closest comparative feature that made its way onto the Hypervenom line from the T90.
The primary feature was the ultra-grippy 'NikeSkin' overlay for improved comfort and a barefoot feel. An easy-on-the-eye Honeycomb panelling decorated the upper with the original orange and black colourway now highly sought after.
28. Nike CTR360 Maestri II, 2010
Stars who wore them: Andres Iniesta, Jack Wilshere, Sami Khedira
In 100 years from now, future humans will take one look at the Nike CTR360s and inform you that they were made in 2014. They feel so of that era – to the extent that suuuurely everyone on the planet had a pair of these in the mid-2010s? Simple, cool, durable and in a range of colours, they ticked all the boxes.
27. Adidas F50.6 Tunit, 2006
Stars who wore them: Lionel Messi, David Villa, Lukas Podolski
The chop-and-change studs project from Adidas in the mid-2000s may have died a death when everyone lost their screw-in studs on the grass - but these boots are still beautiful today. Adi's answer to the Vapor, these came in superb colours, they were lightweight and they felt fantastic. Bring them out today and they'd still be a hit.
26. Nike Tiempo Legend 6 Francesco Totti, 2006
Stars who wore them: Jude Bellingham, Joao Felix, Paulo Dybala
These boots are already classics, despite barely a couple of years old. The Copa Sense is moulded with the vintage leather of Adi boots past, while using a typically-showy stud plate. The result is something masterful. They're absolutely gorgeous.
25. Nike Mercurial Vapor III, 2006
Stars who wore them: Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo
The Vapors were evolving. Gone was the heel panel, replaced with a halftone fade: these were the boots that Thierry Henry ripped Real Madrid apart in the Bernabeu and he looked every inch the superstar. Ronaldo, naturally, had some Brazil-coloured ones for the World Cup, too.
24. Nike Hypervenom Phantom 3, 2018
Stars who wore them: Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford
Part of the 'Just Do It Pack' released for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Nike Hypervenom Phantom III Elite were re-engineered to focus more on their lockdown, offer more agility and greater power on firm ground.
Flyknit never felt (or looked) so good. These boots were memorable for the heel counters of each which contained a triangle made up of 32 lines, one line for each country competing at the World Cup. The triangle also served as a custom canvas with players having the option of placing their country's flag on that area.
Many did, and it looked sick.
23. Adidas Copa Whiteout, 2014
Stars who wore them: N/A
"What's cooler than being cool?" Outkast first pondered. The answer is of course taking a classic like the Copa Mundial, with all its rich texture, nostalgia and downright football 'eritage and spraypainting the whole thing white.
These special editions came out in 2014 and are extremely rare. They're unicorns of the football boot world: something you always knew should exist but couldn't possibly. Ice cold, indeed.
22. Adidas F50 Adizero, 2011
Stars who wore them: Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale
Acid yellow and purple is certainly a statement, with the 2011 F50 Adizone resembling a couple of Chewits that had melted together in your school blazer. The design of the F50 has always been a favourite at FFT Towers. This pair, worn by Messi, Bale and school kids across the nation, were up there with the best of all.
21. Nike Mercurial Flyknit Ultra, 2018
Stars who wore them: Eden Hazard
Nike made just 1,500 pairs of this Nike Mercurial Vapor Flyknit Ultra in black/metallic gold. They were worn exclusively by Eden Hazard for a limited run of games on his return from injury.
Hazard was the easy choice at the time, having worn the Mercurial series throughout his entire 15 year playing career to date, he was one of the best players in the world at the time having just won the league and FA Cup with Chelsea.
20. Mizuno Morelia, 1986
Stars who wore them: David Platt, Aldair, Gianfranco Zola
It's hard to know what that Mizuno symbol actually is but somehow, it's burned itself into the consciousness of every football fan from about 1975 to the present day. The common black-and-white Mizuno boots are retro, hard-wearing and stylish - they're part of the footballing tapestry.
19. Nike Total 90 Laser, 2007
Stars who wore them: Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres, Luis Figo
Truly iconic. The Nike Total 90 Laser was a boot every footballer in Britain had a pair of at some point around the year 2007. The banana yellow and black pair are permanently ingrained in the mind as those Wayne Rooney used to stomp around the Old Trafford turf in. The Englishman scored some early-career belters in these. How could he not, with that Total 90 concentric circles badge covering the laces? Built for turning heads and hitting a ball like a rocket launcher. Beautiful.
18. Diadora Brasil, 2002
Stars who wore them: Roy Keane, Francesco Totti
These boots simply were Roy Keane. And while the divine Francesco Totti found a way to dazzle in them, they represented the no-nonsense, midfield general more than anyone. You can imagine Keane getting these out of the box for the first time and snarling at the yellow Diadora logo. The Irishman asks if there's an all-black pair he can have instead. No? Nevermind, he'll have to try and smash the colour off using opponents' shine pads then.
17. Adidas F50, 2004
Stars who wore them: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Cole, Alessandro Del Piero, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie
The F50 remains totally unlike anything that Adidas had ever done before. Gone were the big stripes, black, red and white and all that thick leather, replaced with pure black and a bright yellow swish of colour. This was simplistic, lightweight and gamechanging for the manufacturer, who developed ever-lighter, tech-heavy boots from this template. The originals are still marvellous, mind. That design is timeless.
16. Nike Mercurial Vapor II, 2004
Stars who wore them: Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Adriano, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
By now, the Mercurial Vapor was an icon that had won World Cups. The second Vapor iteration - and third Mercurial boot - was one that went slightly more stripped back but even bolder in colour, offering crimson and bright blue. When Euro 2004 rolled around, there was a gold version and a cloud-white. They all looked stunning.
15. Adidas Predator Pulse, 2004
Stars who wore them: Steven Gerrard, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Michael Ballack
The Predator Pulse felt like a major revolution. The Mania, which had come out two years previously, had been one of Adidas' biggest successes, and the German sportswear giants knew they'd need to do something different. The Pulse did exactly that, taking the line into the future while simultaneously giving a nod to the 1994 original. This was the ultimate box to box midfielder's boot. No-nonsense and durable but also stylish and sinister.
14. Umbro Speciali, 1994
Stars who wore them: Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, Carlos Valderrama
Back when simplicity was key. Umbro have always held a special place in FFT's hearts and it's not hard to see why. The Umbro Speciali may have just been a black boot with a floppy tongue and a big Umbro logo, but it had soul. It helped that Sheraer and Owen, two of our biggest heroes at the time, scored silly numbers of goal in them. They just don't make them like they used to!
13. Nike Tiempo Legend, 2006
Stars who wore them: Ronaldinho, Carles Puyol, Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo
A boot that hogged the limelight more than many on this list. That's because Ronaldinho spent half his time flicking the ball over opponents heads. They'd appear in shot, on the end off the Brazilian's outstretched legs, about 50 times a game, as Spanish defenders haplessly tried to get close to the buck-toothed genius. They came in a range of colours and had a luxurious, almost regal vibe about them.
12. Adidas F50+, 2005
Stars who wore them: Ashley Cole, Djibril Cisse, Jermain Defoe
While the first F50 boots were understated and minimal, the second ones were bolder, brighter and the colourways were absolutely unreal. The F50+ was built for speed but with a mesh exoskeleton and the three stripes across the outside of the boots, this made as much of an impression style-wise. This is how to do a sequel.
11. Adidas Predator Accelerator
Stars who wore them: Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Pierro, David Beckham
Adidas were getting bolder, the three stripes were getting bigger and these were the boots that Zinedine Zidane won the 1998 World Cup in. They're not the cleanest design in terms of Predator looks but they're one of the most memorable.
10. Mizuno Wave Cup, 2002
Stars who wore them: Rivaldo
Perhaps never before has a football boot become so intertwined with one player and absolutely no one else. Rivaldo was Mizuno - and he was also one of the best players in the world during the 2002 World Cup. These boots are both classic and ready for the millennium with their comfortable leather and touches of yellow - they became instant classics that summer in the far east, too.
9. Adidas Predator Precision, 2000
Stars who wore them: David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, David Trezeguet
Just as Zidane was building on his legacy to top his '98 performances for dazzle and genius, Adidas were building on the Predators. The Precisions were more elegant than ever before but still with that iconic colour palette. There's a beautiful symmetry to these ones and 21 years later, they'd be fitting in the modern game. They're design excellence.
8. Nike Tiempo, 1994
Stars who wore them: Eric Cantona, Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini
People love the fact that the Swoosh logo only cost Nike $35. It's proof that sometimes the best designs are undervalued.
But equally, it's in the years since that this logo has become what it is today - and it's thanks to products like the Tiempo. It's thanks to Cantona and others, who wore this iconic football boot and helped make the American manufacturer's name in the sport. It's steeped in so much mystique. It still looks class decades later - it probably always will.
7. Nike Total 90 III, 2004
Stars who wore them: Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho
Most commonly seen just below school trousers around the turn of the Millennium. Forget Figo, Rooney & Co., these were the astros you and your mates wore on the school field at lunchtimes, cheese and ham panini in one hand, Sony Ericsson in the other. They evoke a time and a place more than any other boot on this glorious list. That Total 90 scene was pure fire when you were 14, wasn't it?
6. Puma King, 1966
Stars who wore them: Pele
The big daddy. The guv'nor. The Pot Noodle of footwear. The boot worn by Pele at World Cups and tradesmen at Sunday League. The Puma King will forever be held up as the choice for any footballer who likes to keep things simple. No messing about. Clear your lines. Get tight to your man. They don't like it up 'em. Let him know you're there... we could go on all day.
5. Nike Mercurial, 1998
Stars who wore them: Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
This is that boot you were just thinking about when when partner snapped, "Are you even listening to me?!" If only they knew...
This wasn't just a shoe. This was a mythical creature. Ronaldo spent the summer of '98 skipping, galloping, blasting and slaloming his way around France in these puppies. They were the source of his powers to our young eyes – a silvery-blue unicorn with an acid yellow swish sent down from Zeus' trident. They belong in Azkaban.
4. Adidas Copa Mundial, 1979
Stars who wore them: Diego Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer, Zinedine Zidane
Three is the magic number. Who would have thought that those stripes would look so good? That white on black was that simple but that effective? Every football boot since has stemmed from these beauties. They're the Routemaster bus of football footwear: they're so pure, so iconic and so awfully retro.
3. Nike Total 90 II, 2002
Stars who wore them: Luis Figo, Francesco Totti, Roberto Carlos, Alan Smith
That's right, Alan Smith! And no, not the boring Arsenal one... the boring Manchester United one.
To give him his dues, Ol' Smudger worse these in his far more interesting Leeds United days, when the bleach-haired scallywag thundered goals in for the ailing Whites before their shock relegation. The red and cream ones were seen most often, but the other colourways were playground-worthy too. This was a line of boots that taught our young minds that it was okay to wear any weird and wacky colour you wanted. Why shouldn't we? A bloke literally called 'Alan Smith' is getting away with it.
2. Nike Mercurial Vapor, 2002
Stars who wore them: Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy
The 1998 Mercurial boots were a design masterclass. But the 2002 versions that Ronaldo wore when he led Brazil to glory in Japan? They're unbeatable for Nike.
The Mercurial Vapors are a lesson in many things. Minimalism, mainly, though they're also a feat of engineering in their lightweight design. Every single lightweight boot since has owed something to this product and every colourway was majestic.
Ronaldo would not have been the same in battered old trainers, now would he?
Some honourable mentions...
1. Adidas Predator Mania, 2002
Stars who wore them: David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Piero, Raul, Rui Costa, Michael Ballack, Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard, Xavi, Harry Kewell, Javier Saviola, Ashley Cole... and Jonny Wilkinson
So undeniably cool, even a rugby player started donning them. Admittedly, the egg chaser in question was Jonny Wilkinson – who wasn't like those other brutes, with his dreamy eyes and twinkle toes. In another life, Wilko was the answer to England's midfield problem, as the Three Lions lifted the 2002 World Cup in Tokyo.
Predators were cool before the Mania came out in 2002, but not this cool. There was a Feng Shui to the Mania just not seen in a football boot before. The tongue, laces and white gripping pads dovetailed with a harmony Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen would have appreciated but completely outlawed en route to destroying someone's lounge on Changing Rooms. The black, red and white combo was already a hallmark of the Predator, but they never looked this smart. Even the underside of the boot could have its own range of smutty factory floor calendars.
Above all, our heroes made the Mania so much more than lace and leather. The 00s was a ludicrous era for football and the Predator Mania was stitched into the tapestry. It will never be bettered.
