Andrew Rizzo Brazilian footballer and Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior (Vini Jr.) is gearing up for the release of his first player edition Nike Mercurial boot. Taken on the Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite, the design tributes Vini’s speed and Brazilian heritage through a rainbow of iridescent treatments.
Vini Jr. has been a Nike athlete since he was 13 years old and is currently signed on through 2030 – although there was a moment when it looked like the two sides might part ways. A rather public dispute went down in February of 2023, with Vini Jr. hiding the Swoosh logo on his boots in a La Liga matchup. Eventually, the two sides came to terms on a new contract extension later that year. The time that’s passed since has seen Vini play roles in several Mercurial campaigns, making the release of his first-ever player edition Mercurial boot a natural progression.
Starting underfoot, the sole immediately catches the eye with a multicolor, iridescent finish. The medial side symbolizes Vini’s time playing for legendary Rio club Flamengoof with a red to yellow gradient, while the lateral side nods to the Brazilian national team in blue, green, and yellow. The phrase “Vini Fly, Vini Voa” appears on the gradients as well as the spine, while Vini’s signature Nike logo dots the tongue.
“Watching my favorite players growing up, they all wore Nike boots,” says Vini Jr. “For many years I’ve played with Mercurial exclusively — and even scored a goal in two Champions League finals. For my first Nike Player Edition boot, there was no need to move away from what already made me fly.”
The Vini Jr. Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite releases globally on May 26th via nike.com and select retail locations. Pricing is set at $300, which is $20 more than inline Mercurial Vapor colorways. See official images below if you’re interested in copping a pair.
