History of the Soccer Cleats

In the late 1800s, the heavier boot style gradually became replaced with a more lightweight shoe as the game changed from hobby to sport. In 1891 a pioneering move introduced studs to the game of football leading to the modern-day soccer shoe. Weighing half a kilogram, this thick leather ankle boot would not offer the most flexibility. The Dassler brothers were to play an even larger part in the evolution of the soccer shoe. But after a bitter dispute the two separated and went on to form Adidas and Puma, now two of the leading names in soccer shoe manufacturing. These two companies were to become massive soccer shoe manufacturers producing classic designs like the adidas Copa Mondial (1979) and the Puma King (1968).  Players began wearing a particular brand of boot, Pele and Eusebio performed at the world cup wearing Puma soccer shoes however, shoe sponsorships would reach a much larger scale in the 80s and 90s. Shoes become lighter and softer, made primarily from kangaroo skin and are designed to perform on all types of surfaces. Nike were one of the last global super-brands to begin marketing its own soccer shoes but the company's designs and player endorsements have forced Nike to the top of the soccer shoe ladder. Nike Total 90s and Mercurial are their biggest selling designs and have been advertised by players like Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.