Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom
SOPHNET.
1 / 5

Football fans that grew up during the late 90s and early 2000s will be all too familiar with Nike Mercurial. A generation-defining home for the Swoosh's footballing outputs, heavy on style and groundbreaking releases, Mercurial is footballing heritage. This year, it turns 25.

If you've ever laced up a pair of football boots, you've probably slipped into a pair of Mercurials at least once or twice.

First touching down in 1998 in the form of the R9, the original Mercurial boot was designed for Ronaldo – Brazilian Ronaldo, not CR7 – and debuted at that year's FIFA World Cup.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

The line went on to be a huge success and has remained a staple of Nike throughout the past two decades. Due to its technological advancements and slick styling, it's also had crossover success through flagship sneaker silhouettes.

In celebration of the line's 25th anniversary, this crossover continues via the Air Max Plus.

A sneaker that's equally as synonymous with the era as Mercurial itself, the Air Max Plus Mercurial XXV cherry picks its colorway from the 2011 Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Arriving exclusively via SOPHNET. in Japan, this celebratory pair features a pink upper decorated with black typography graphics, silver-to-black veins, a silver midsole, and volt green details throughout.

The resulting colorway screams early 2000s and is perfect for the upcoming festival season.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

To complete the look, SOPHNET's F.C. Real Bristol serves up a matching jersey featuring a black-to-pink gradient fade with volt detailing.

For now, the two-piece pack is exclusive to Japan. Whether or not that will change is yet to be seen – but expect more from Mercurial's 25th birthday.

We Recommend
  • Ronaldinho’s Iconic Kangaroo Leather Tiempos Return as Sneakers
    • Style
  • Nike's Napoli Sneaker Is Destined To Be a Fan Favorite
    • Sneakers
  • 20 Years Later, Nike's Grail-Worthy Air Max Sneaker Powers Up Again
    • Sneakers
  • A Colorful Nike Icon Quietly Returns
    • Sneakers
  • Nike's Sporty Air Max Hybrid Is Ready to Rock (Tongue-First, Naturally)
    • Sneakers
What To Read Next
  • Addison Rae & Vaquera Gen Z-ified Y2K's Best It-Bag
    • Style
  • The Next German-Made JJJJound x adidas Shoe Is a Real Star
    • Sneakers
  • FIFA Strike Gold with Tiffany & Co.
    • Sports
    • sponsored
  • Why Is UNIQLO the Anti-Fast Fashion Fast Fashion Brand?
    • Culture
  • Zellerfeld Made the 3D-Printed Nike Air Max of the Future
    • Sneakers
  • This Is the Golden Age of Old Folks Selling New Clothes
    • Style