NIKE X VINI JR: THE MERCURIAL VAPOR 17 GETS THE BRAZILIAN RHYTHM TREATMENT
Nike and Vinícius Jr. are back with their third signature boot, and this one’s all about his roots and the culture of the favelas. Brazilian music taught him rhythm and defiance, and now the winger is on a mission to make the pitch his dance floor with the new Mercurial Vapor 17. Feel the beat – these boots were made for dancing.
Baile Funk is music built on rhythm, raw energy and an attitude that refuses to follow the rules, something Vini Jr. wears on his sleeve. So, Nike have captured that spirit with a boot made for those who love to play to their own beat. And there’s no better way to show this than dressing the Atomknit upper in Laser Orange. The vibrant colour choice, paired with a slight fade into Fuchsia Flash, makes the boot noticeably pop. To finish the upper off, a large lateral black Nike Swoosh sweeps around the side, complementing the loud colours with a little balance.
To add to the attention-grabbing design, defenders who are always chasing his match tempo will be left staring at something dazzling. The translucent soleplate uses a mix of white and pink that fade together across the middle before returning to orange at the ends. Nike have also added their lightweight FlyLite plate, making those quick feet and sharp changes of direction feel that bit lighter. After all, when you're dancing around defenders, every movement counts. You can check out the full breakdown of the Nike Mercurial technology here.
And the details don’t stop there. Across the bottom of each boot, you’ll find ‘Believe’ on one and ‘Acredite’ on the other, the Portuguese translation. A nod to the mentality that has helped define Vinícius Jr. and a reminder to always back yourself. Look a little closer, and you'll also spot a Vini Jr. logo sitting proudly at the front of the collar, leaving no doubt about who these boots belong to.
There’s no other choice but to feel the rhythm of Brazil on your feet. Wearing the number 7 for Real Madrid already makes him an obvious superstar, but with a piece of home strapped around each ankle, that brings a whole new level of confidence.
Standing out the Vini Jr. way is exactly the mission Nike have successfully achieved, especially once the boots are paired with the iconic white strip. Loud, expressive and impossible to ignore – just like the man himself.
