Discover the Unprecedented History of Nike Football Boots in a New Book From Nike and Phaidon Press

Nike and Phaidon Press are introducing the first book to chart the unprecedented history of Nike’s iconic football boots, from the evolution of their design to the legendary stars who have worn them.

Nike Football Boots is a lavishly illustrated homage to the beautiful game and the legendary footballers who bring it to life — and, of course, the boots they wear. The 240-page hardcover volume charts the history of Nike’s football journey, from the all-black leather boot introduced in the early 1970s — the first of any shoe to feature the famous Swoosh — to the present day through four key product lines that encapsulate the brand’s design ethos: Tiempo, Mercurial, Total 90 and Phantom. 

Along the way, readers will discover stories behind the boots worn by football’s greatest names, including Brazilian striker Ronaldo, Portuguese phenomenon Cristiano Ronaldo, U.S. Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe and French icon Kylian Mbappé, among others.

Award-winning author Caleb Azumah Nelson distills the nostalgic magic of growing up as a football fan in southeast London across four illuminating essays, discussing how the culture and style of the period informed the evolution of Nike’s iconic footwear. 

Meanwhile, Thomas Turner, a historian and lecturer at London College of Fashion, delves deep into the materials, form, fit, design and technology that makes these boots special. An accessible introduction by curator Eleanor Watson provides an overview of football design more globally, while an afterword by ELLE Mexico editor-in-chief Claudia Cándano de la Peza discusses athletes as style icons.

Nike Football Boots moves in chronological order, with each of the product lines given its own chapter.

Tiempo, first released in 1984, is the classic boot. This silhouette is what athletes imagine when they think of a football boot. Mercurial, engineered for speed and lightness, was made famous by Ronaldo and is still worn today by Mbappé and Sam Kerr.

Total 90, prioritizing striking power and accuracy, was a short-lived champion of unconventional early 2000s design that took on a life and cultural relevance away from the pitch and was recently revived as a sportswear silo. Phantom was worn proudly by Rapinoe, the former USWNT captain, in her final game.

A 12-page glossy insert displays every model of boot, dating from 1971 to current day, in the Department of Nike Archives boot room, including the new Tiempo model. The back cover features the Swoosh and the title translated into over 10 different languages, highlighting the global appeal of the beautiful game, while the front cover showcases some of the most emblematic boots ever released.

Nike Football Boots will be available April 10 at phaidon.com and select retail locations.