For close to a decade, Lionel Messi has evolved into one of the best soccer players in the world. In fact, depending on who you ask, he might just be the greatest soccer player of all time.
Known for his incredible footwork and quickness, it should be no surprise that a lot of people attempt to emulate how he plays on the pitch. One of the first things people notice is his shoes, and he has been a long-time partner with Adidas. A fast, responsive shoe is a must for a player like him, right?
What boots does Messi wear? Lionel Messi currently wears the Adidas X Speedflow.1. Known for being an agility-driven soccer cleat, it is the perfect fit for his style of play. He should be with this cleat for a while as the main athlete endorser.
What Is So Special About Messi’s Cleats?
When Adidas decided to develop the Adidas X Speedflow.1, they knew that they wanted to make a cleat that could fit many players. While Messi was the main player they developed the shoe for, they knew that it needed to be a comfortable option for everyone.
The first thing the people noticed with the shoe when they tried it on for the first time is that it has a very adaptive fit. The tension tape that surrounds the shoe is very good at reducing any restrictions when a person makes a step. This allows for a truly personalized fit, and it can be noticeable in just a few minutes of play the very first time.
The adaptive fit also leads to some pretty solid support around the entire foot area. It is another laceless option from Adidas, which uses compression instead of traditional methods to close the shoe off. This allows for a little bit better movement on the top of the foot, and people never feel like they are losing the support.
Laces, Manueverability and Weight
No laces: Adidas really seems to be pushing the laceless shoe options in their performance models across all sports. It was something not everyone was entirely sure of at first, but now it seems like there is enough data out there for people to know that they are just as good, if not better, than traditional laces. For soccer, this works extremely well, because the lack of laces makes for a smoother outer shell of the cleats.
Maneuverability: Keeping with maneuverability, the shoe has a split sole with torsion insoles to give great flexibility on the pitch at all times. A person can change directions, speed up or slow down without feeling any type of pinching or pain in their foot. The shoe always feels locked down on the foot, even if a person is playing and running all over the field.
Lightweight: A very lightweight shoe that is available in multiple colors, high school players, as well as professionals, really enjoy what Adidas brings to the table. It helps that Messi is the endorser of the shoes, but this would be a huge seller for Adidas even without his approval. Weighing in at just 8.6 ounces, it barely feels like a player has any cleats on at all if wearing the right size.
Finally, there is always something different about playing soccer in signature cleats. A lot of people are fans of Messi and his style of play, and the cleats can provide some confidence for those playing the game at a recreational level. No, they won’t magically change a player’s skill level drastically, but people will notice a slight improvement in endurance, touch, comfort, and more.
How Is It To Play With The Cleats?
For comfort and a lightweight feel, there are very few options out there better than these cleats. Adidas knew that when they started to design the new Adidas Nemeziz 19+, they needed to bring something to the table that quick players would gravitate towards. Even though Messi is now entering the later part of his career, he is still known for his quickness and agility. The cleat had to meet his approval before getting a proper sign-off.
From the very beginning when trying it on, it might feel weird on the foot for those new to a laceless system on their cleats. The supporting tape is also a bit different, but it doesn’t take long to notice the benefits.
There are always a few exceptions to the rule, but the vast majority of people are going to notice a very lockdown feel early on. It’s easy to be skeptical about how laceless cleats could provide better lockdown than traditional options, but it is able to accomplish just that.
Movement and Cushioning
With the movement of the foot, the upper of the cleats stretch accordingly. Some might fear that the shoe could stretch out a little too much over time, but the material is strong enough and resilient enough to always return the form.
The cushioning and overall soft feel of the sole is pretty nice for people to enjoy. It is a shoe that many people who have had foot issues in the past enjoy using without any problems. It’s worth giving a try if other shoes did not provide the proper amount of support and cushioning.
No Laces
The lack of laces is a great move in the right direction for Adidas, and soccer in general. In a game where just the slightest mishit off the foot can make a huge difference, players want a uniform delivery off of each cleat every single time. The lack of laces allows Adidas to make a great outer for players to have added control.
What really helps with the comfort level is the split outsole. Many feel that it is more of a performance addition rather than comfort, but it helps with both. Allowing the foot to move in different ways makes the cleats feel better in the first and 90th minutes.
Who Should Use Messi’s Cleats?
The overall design of the Adidas Nemeziz 19+ is clearly made for those players who are quick and agile on their feet. Players looking for the ultimate edge when it comes to speeding past the opposition should consider them as a quality purchase worth the investment.
They make the shoe for men, women, and children. It is also designed for players on offense and defense, so it ultimately comes down to how it feels to each player. No one wants to be using a cleat that does not feel that great to them, so always try them out if possible in the store.
As is the case with any shoe endorsed by a top athlete, the Nemeziz 19 does come at a pretty hefty price. They retail for $275, but they can be found at a bit of a discount at times. Different colors will also have different prices, so always be on the lookout for deals.
Bad Ankle Support
The only players who should stay away from these shoes are those who might have some ankle issues that don’t seem to go away. They don’t offer the best ankle support ever, although it is existent to some extent. If a person can’t seem to stay healthy, perhaps a bulkier option with more heavy support should be considered. Alternatively, wearing ankle braces with these cleats is another way to gain some additional support.
Overall
Adidas did a great job designing this to fit so many different types of players. In the past, the shoes Messi has endorsed have not always been for everyone. They are capitalizing on his mass appeal to bring in some additional sales.
Can You Buy Messi’s Cleats?
There are many ways to order the Adidas Nemeziz 19+ online. Many people shop for deals online instead of in-store, because there are better color options and availability in general. It’s usually a bit cheaper to shop online as well, so that never hurts.
There have been numerous colorways released so far, and Adidas will likely release several more now that the soccer season is starting up in Spain. Lionel Messi is the main endorser of the shoes, but it doesn’t mean that there will not be other options to match different teams around the country.
Ultimately, Adidas wants to make sure that they have enough options for players at all different levels around the globe. That means some interesting colorways like pink, but also traditional black and white colorways as well.
Final Thoughts On Messi’s Cleats
There are many great soccer cleats available from major companies in the industry like Adidas, Nike, Mizuno, Umbro, Puma, and more. In the last few years, Adidas has been at the front of innovation, and that does not seem to be changing one bit with the newest Nemeziz release.
Just about everything a person could ask for is in this shoe at a great price. The improvements are noticeable right away, and stylistically, they grab a lot of attention on the pitch. Expect these to be one of the hottest cleats in the game for the current season.
