Inside Nike's huge boot launch: Neymar, Alexis Sanchez and Brazilian Ronaldo join star-studded celebrations in London for 20th anniversary of Mercurial and unveiling of new design

  • Nike hosting celebration with some of football's biggest names in attendance for massive event in London   
  • Players stepped out of supercars with 'Mercurial' emblazoned on side at 20th anniversary of famous design 
  • Neymar, Alexis Sanchez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling all in attendance
  • Nike launched new Mercurial Superfly 360 and Mercurial Vapor 360 will debut on pitch this weekend 

Advertisement

Some of the biggest stars in world football came together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nike's iconic Mercurial football boot and the launch of the new Superfly 360 and Mercurial Vapor 360.  

The likes of Neymar, Alexis Sanchez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eden Hazard pulled up to the event at The Printworks in London in style as they stepped out of McLaren supercars with 'Mercurial' emblazoned on the side. 

The players posed on stage for the obligatory onslaught of photos and seemed to be relishing their time in the spotlight.  

The Brazilian arrived in style, pulling up in an orange McLaren supercar alongside his fellow players 

The Brazilian arrived in style, pulling up in an orange McLaren supercar alongside his fellow players 

Neymar flew in from Paris for the Nike event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mercurial football boot 

Neymar flew in from Paris for the Nike event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mercurial football boot 

The world's most expensive player acknowledged the crowd which had gathered around the venue

The world's most expensive player acknowledged the crowd which had gathered around the venue

Alexis Sanchez was another big name player at the event which was hosted at the Printworks in south London

Alexis Sanchez was another big name player at the event which was hosted at the Printworks in south London

Sanchez, fresh off his first goal for new club Manchester United was another to show his face at the event 

Sanchez, fresh off his first goal for new club Manchester United was another to show his face at the event 

Sanchez was back in London having recently departed the capital to join Jose Mourinho's side in January 

Sanchez was back in London having recently departed the capital to join Jose Mourinho's side in January 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is no stranger to a luxury car and was in high spirits upon arriving 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is no stranger to a luxury car and was in high spirits upon arriving 

It was a stellar turn out for the sportswear giant with players from across the Premier League and Europe descending on England's capital. 


The night was also an opportunity to showcase the new Mercurial designs, with the Superfly and Vapour 360s to debut this weekend. 

The boot does not contain a soleplate meaning the feet are wrapped by a Flyknit material meaning players have improved feel and touch.   

The Mercurial boot has been a huge success over the years and Brazilian Ronaldo debuted the first pair two decades ago, claiming that they 'changed the game in football'.

He used them at the 1998 World Cup in France, a tournament he starred in before ultimately falling short to the hosts in the final.  

Ronaldo shared a selfie with the iconic Brazilian striker nicknamed 'El Fenimino' for his striking prowess

Ronaldo shared a selfie with the iconic Brazilian striker nicknamed 'El Fenimino' for his striking prowess

Hazard took to Instagram and shared a story with his followers with Aubameyang making an appearance

Hazard took to Instagram and shared a story with his followers with Aubameyang making an appearance

Eden Hazard is among the Chelsea players who have been given time off after two successive league defeats

Eden Hazard is among the Chelsea players who have been given time off after two successive league defeats

The Belgian has stayed in London for the event where many of his team-mates have got away for a couple of days

The Belgian has stayed in London for the event where many of his team-mates have got away for a couple of days

Ronaldo debuted the original Mercurial boot 20 years ago and the famous design became a staple for the sportswear giants

Ronaldo debuted the original Mercurial boot 20 years ago and the famous design became a staple for the sportswear giants

Neymar also has a strong affinity with the Mercurial line, donning the second edition of the boots, the Mercurial Superfly II, when he made his debut for Brazil at just the age of 18. 

In December Nike launched the Mercurial Puro Fenomeno boots in homage to the PSG forward who has led the Parisian club to the summit of Ligue 1. 

At the time Ronaldo said: 'The partnership between Neymar and Mercurial is perfect. He has this characteristic in his game, he’s very fast, can abruptly change direction.'

Although Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't attend the event, he posted a video on his Instagram page clutching the new kicks. 

He said: '20 years of Mercurial, the most iconic boot on the planet and I've never seen something like that before.' 

But it wasn't just the two Ronaldos and Neymar on hand to offer their support with a strong contingent from the Premier League heavyweights.

Cristiano Ronaldo took to Instagram to laud the new boots which he says are unlike anything he's seen before

Cristiano Ronaldo took to Instagram to laud the new boots which he says are unlike anything he's seen before

The new Nike Mercurial designs feature no soleplate, instead they only have flyknit material all over 

The new Nike Mercurial designs feature no soleplate, instead they only have flyknit material all over 

The latest in the 20-year line of Mercurial's are said to help players turn on a sixpence and have greater touch 

The latest in the 20-year line of Mercurial's are said to help players turn on a sixpence and have greater touch 

Tiemoue Bakayoko faced the cameras following his horrendous showing in the 4-1 away defeat by Watford

Tiemoue Bakayoko faced the cameras following his horrendous showing in the 4-1 away defeat by Watford

Liverpool's Emre Can was among the attendees, wearing a Nike t-shirt under his jacket at the prestigious event  

Liverpool's Emre Can was among the attendees, wearing a Nike t-shirt under his jacket at the prestigious event  

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the trip down to London with some of his Liverpool team-mates earlier in the day 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the trip down to London with some of his Liverpool team-mates earlier in the day 

Jordan Henderson joined the Liverpool contingent and stuck a thumb up to the photographers on entry 

Jordan Henderson joined the Liverpool contingent and stuck a thumb up to the photographers on entry 

Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Tiemoue Bakayoko have been given three days off from Antonio Conte following their heavy 4-1 defeat by Watford at Vicarage Road. 

But rather than escape for some sun, the pair made it to the event being hosted on their doorstep in south London.

Liverpool's Emre Can, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson were also pictured in attendance, fresh from the disappointment of letting their 2-1 lead slip late on against Tottenham at Anfield. 

Marcus Rashford joined Sanchez as Manchester United's representatives while Atletico Madrid duo Yannick Carrasco and Saul Niguez made the trek from the Spanish capital.

Marcus Rashford joined Sanchez in representing Manchester United alongside many of their rivals 

Marcus Rashford joined Sanchez in representing Manchester United alongside many of their rivals 

Yannick Carrasco wore bright white Nike trainers as he gave the cameras a double thumbs up on stage 

Yannick Carrasco wore bright white Nike trainers as he gave the cameras a double thumbs up on stage 

Saul Niguez was also kitted out in Nike gear having flown in from Madrid especially to attend the event

Saul Niguez was also kitted out in Nike gear having flown in from Madrid especially to attend the event

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.