In 2014, Brazil hosted the highly anticipated World Cup. In the opening match, Neymar scored twice as Brazil beat Croatia 3-1. Neymar was the star player carrying the nation's hopes. Neymar wore the Nike Hypervenom 1 boots, which were later remastered as the Phantom Vision 2 Future DNA 'Future Friday'. To celebrate Neymar, Nike created a special Hypervenom Phantom Premium Gold signature boot for him. The design was inspired by Neymar painting his boots as a 12-year-old watching the World Cup. However, disaster struck in the quarter-finals when Neymar suffered a fractured vertebra after colliding with a Colombian defender. He missed the remainder of the tournament, which had a major impact on the host nation's hopes. In short, Neymar's 2014 World Cup journey started well but ended in heartbreak due to the injury, which greatly affected Brazil's performance in the semi-finals.
After the World Cup disappointment and subsequent injury problems, it was nice to see Nike follow up with another notable boot for Neymar in 2015: the Hypervenom Phantom Liquid Diamond. The release coincided with Neymar celebrating his 8th year as a Nike athlete, and the design was inspired by his personality and love of diamonds. Neymar and his sister Rafaella share a very close bond, and they both have diamond tattoos on their arms as a symbol of their special relationship. Neymar explained the meaning behind the tattoos: "The diamond tattoo I got was done with my sister. We thought we'd do it together because diamonds are rare and the feelings I have for my sister are rare, so we decided to go together as a tribute to each other." »The Liquid Diamond Boot featured a textured NikeSkin upper in a sparkling colorway that perfectly captured Neymar’s affinity for diamonds. Its unique and eye-catching design made it one of the boldest and most distinctive boots in his signature collection. It was a fitting tribute to celebrate his long-standing partnership with Nike.
In 2016, Neymar took his iconic footwear line to new heights with a special collaboration. A year after his second signature release, Nike teamed up with renowned Brazilian artist Bruno Carneiro Mosciaro (known as Bruno Big) to design the Hypervenom Phantom II “Ousadia Alegria.” The boots were inspired by the words “ousadia” (audacity) and “alegria” (joy) – a personal mantra that Neymar has tattooed on his calves. These words perfectly capture both his playing style and his outlook on life. The design featured both low-cut and high-cut versions, with Neymar opting for the sleeker low-cut model. "I associate 'Alegria' with the joy of living and playing football, which is what I love the most, and 'Ousadia' with the audacity to do something different, that people don't expect to see," Neymar explained. Bruno Big's distinctive artwork covered the entire boot, with the left and right designs being noticeably different. For 'Ousadia', he created the image of a heart, while for 'Alegria', he painted a hand formed into a fist, as if touching the ball. To commemorate the launch, Bruno Big even painted a giant canvas depicting 1 shoe boxes and personally presented the first pair to Neymar. It was a truly unique and meaningful collaboration that perfectly captured Neymar's spirit and personality.
When it comes to big name collaborations, there’s nothing bigger than a partnership with Jordan Brand. In 2016, Neymar became the first footballer to receive his own Jordan line, with the Hypervenom II coming in two special versions. The first was a sleek black colorway, inspired by Neymar’s favorite Jordan sneaker, the Air Jordan 5. The second was a clean white version, which was the model he actually wore on the pitch. “My first pair of Jordans, I wore them all the time. I wore them to school, I always had them,” Neymar recalled. The boots featured design elements taken directly from the iconic Air Jordan 5, like the shark tooth pattern on the sole and the cement-print upper. Of course, the instantly recognizable Jumpman logo was prominently displayed on the heel. Neymar’s club and country numbers, 10 and 11, were stitched onto the left boot, while the legendary Michael Jordan’s number 23 was featured on the right. It was a collaboration that perfectly blended Neymar’s love of football and basketball into one stunning shoe. This release marked the end of Neymar’s time with the Hypervenom silo. After a series of signature editions, he returned to where it all began: the Mercurial Vapor. It will be exciting to see if Neymar and the Jordan Brand will team up again in the future, especially with Paris Saint-Germain’s continued partnership with the brand. Sneakerheads and football fans alike will surely be hoping for more incredible collaborations to come.
While the world fame of Neymar continued to grow, Nike found itself in an enviable position. With Neymar leading the Mercurial line and Cristiano Ronaldo dominating the Mercurial Superfly, the Swoosh had two of the biggest names in football representing its top boot silos. That led Nike to pull out all the stops for Neymar’s next signature release: the Mercurial Vapor 11 “Written in the Stars” in July 2017. The boot featured graphics highlighting six of the most important goals Neymar had scored in his career up to that point – a fitting number considering it was his sixth special edition model. Beyond the goal highlights, the design also incorporates details that are significant to Neymar’s life story – from the locations that held significance as he grew into a superstar, to the birthdates of his beloved son and sister. The Swoosh logo was even positioned on the side of the boot at Neymar's request, highlighting the level of influence he wielded at Nike. The release also coincided with Neymar's seismic move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, which broke the world transfer record. It begs the question: could this be the move that propelled PSG to the top of European football? And would Neymar finally emerge from Lionel Messi's shadow and reach his full potential?
Recognise this version? Of course you do. Even if you didn’t catch it in 2018, the colourway is probably etched in your memory, as it’s a direct throwback to one of the most iconic boots of all time, the 1998 Mercurial. When Nike decided to pay homage to their legendary Mercurial R9 from the 1998 World Cup, they called on Neymar to bring the classic look into the modern era. The result was the Mercurial Vapor ‘Puro Fenomeno’ – a boot that seamlessly blends past and present. Ronaldo’s Mercurials at that tournament literally “changed the game of football”, as the man himself put it. They were unlike anything that had come before in terms of weight, speed and sleek design. So it was fitting that Nike would pass the torch from one Brazilian icon to another. The stunning colorway of the Puro Fenomeno was a direct nod to Ronaldo’s legendary boots, while small design details like the instep pattern harkened back to Neymar’s Superfly II debut. It was a fitting tribute that celebrated the Brazilian genius’ lineage in the Mercurial line. “Ronaldo is one of the greatest and most iconic players in history,” Neymar said. “I’m truly happy and honored to have played with him on the Brazilian national team.” You could feel that respect for the past shine through every element of this special release.
July 2018 saw one of Neymar’s most eye-catching signature releases: the Mercurial Vapor XII Elite “Meu Jogo,” which translates to “my game.” The boot aimed to capture Neymar’s unique talent and commitment to playing his own brand of football. “I got here because of my football,” Neymar said. “If football got me where I am, if it made me conquer what I did, then I don’t need to change.” That uncompromising spirit shines through in every element of the “Meu Jogo” design. The bright yellow colorway was a nod to Neymar’s status as a Brazilian icon, while the white accents paid homage to his roots at Santos. And with the World Cup Round of 2022 on the horizon, the shoe’s sleek aesthetic was a perfect match for the Brazil national team’s kit. Once Neymar pulled on the ‘Meu Jogo’ for the Round of 28 clash with Mexico, his brilliance was on full display. The skill, the flair, the unwavering commitment to his game – it was all there. Neymar even got on the scoresheet, with Roberto Firmino sealing the Seleção’s victory. Sadly, Brazil’s run came to an end against Belgium in the quarter-finals. For Neymar, it meant another missed opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time. But with the XNUMX World Cup in Qatar on the horizon, the XNUMX-year-old will have one last chance to secure that elusive global triumph.
The start of 2019 was a real challenge for Neymar. Another major injury sidelined him just as he was finding his groove. But even during this setback, Neymar’s unwavering spirit shone through. That’s what Nike sought to capture with its next Mercurial release: the Vapor NJR “Silencio.” It was all about Neymar’s ability to tune out the noise, embrace the “alegria” (joy) of the game and let his skills do the talking on the pitch. “‘Shhh’ is not about silencing the rest of the world,” Neymar explained. “It’s about keeping my mouth shut and focusing on what I need to do for my future as a player and as a man.” » That inner calm and unwavering determination were woven into every element of the boot’s design. The miniature “Shush” graphics, with the letters fading from black to gray, created a unique look for each pair. It was a subtle nod to Neymar’s ability to block out distractions and silence doubters. And the diamond and crown motifs on the heel—two of his personal mantras—said his lofty ambitions. As Neymar orchestrated his comeback, the “Silencio” was a powerful symbol of his mentality. No matter the obstacles, his love for the game and unwavering self-belief would always shine through. It was a boot that captured the essence of Neymar: the talent, the flair, the uncompromising spirit.
When it comes to Neymar Jr., speed is in his blood. On the pitch, those lightning-fast dribbles and explosive pace can light up a game in an instant. Defenders know all too well the panic that sets in when Neymar charges at them at full speed. But Neymar’s need for speed isn’t limited to the football pitch. His passion for motorsport, particularly the glitz and glamour of Formula 1, is no secret. Scroll through his Instagram and you’ll see him frequenting the F1 circuits, indulging in his need for speed. So it’s only fitting that Nike would tap into that need for speed for Neymar’s latest signature boot: the Mercurial Vapor “Speed Freak.” The boot’s metallic silver upper is accented by a bold red and black checkered flag, running from the sole to the medial side. It’s a nod to Neymar’s need for thrills, both on and off the pitch. Look closer and you’ll discover a treasure trove of personal details: the iconic No. 10 he wears for Brazil, Nike’s legendary branding and even some of his own mantras like “Sonho Dourado” (Golden Dream) and “Alegria” (Joy). It’s a shoe that captures the essence of Neymar in all his high-speed glory.
It's been a tough 2020 so far, with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc across the world and bringing football to a standstill. But even in these dark times, Neymar and Nike are here to brighten up the beautiful game. The 10th signature boot in the line Neymar has arrived, and it’s dazzling. Introducing the Mercurial Vapor “Jogo Prismático” – a boot that embodies Neymar’s uncompromising, unmistakable style. Inspiration comes from the prismatic elements of Neymar’s game – that unmatched ability to invent, to dazzle, to bring a sense of joyful athleticism to even the darkest of situations. No matter what, Neymar will never shy away from the spotlight or the challenge. Look closely and you’ll find nods to some of Neymar’s most iconic past releases. The “Ousadia” (Bold) and “Alegria” (Joy) graphics on the heels are reminiscent of the Hypervenom “Ousadia Alegria.” And the dynamic, kaleidoscopic aesthetic pays homage to the stunning Mercurial “Speed Freak.” But there’s also something new here: Neymar’s updated NJR logo, making its first appearance on one of his signature boots. A subtle evolution that speaks to his constant drive to grow and innovate. Through it all, the thread that connects these releases is Neymar’s unbreakable bond with Nike. The stars of his first-ever Mercurial Player Edition, “Written in the Stars,” are hidden within the vibrant print, a testament to their long-standing partnership.