Football’s Culture & Clobber Axis: Boot Drops, Head-Losses, and More
Welcome to the Culture & Clobber Axis, where we dissect the latest happenings from the world where football meets pop culture. From the sublime to the ridiculous, to the hits and the misses, we’ve got it all covered.
This week, we’re obsessed with fresh boot drops for football stars including Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Neymar. And with Liverpool’s rollercoaster week, there’s plenty of juicy narrative to dive into. So, where do these football zeitgeist moments land on our axis? Let’s find out…
New Signature Boots for Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi and Adidas’ iconic F50 speed boot have become an inseparable pair. The football legend has been gifted a new signature set, reflecting his enduring influence on the beautiful game. And he’s handpicked 10 rising stars from both the men’s and women’s game to sport the silver, blue, and electric yellow Messi F50 Player Pack 1. Our take on this? Blatant worldie.
AC Milan x Off-White Kits
Streetwear label Off-White has released its first-ever football kit, in collaboration with Italian powerhouse AC Milan and PUMA. The striking kit, featuring an all-over Off-White logo pattern, collar and cuffs, and a unique red and black colorway fading into dark green, is definitely a head-turner. Our verdict? Maverick worldie.
Women’s Stars Shine in New Ads
In a testament to the exponential growth of women’s football, female athletes took center stage in big-budget ads during Super Bowl week. Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas featured in Nike’s ‘So Win’ campaign, while Putellas’ club-mate Aitana Bonmati and USWNT icon Trinity Rodman were the stars of Adidas’ ‘You Got This’ series. We say it’s a Maverick worldie.
Man City’s Misguided Banner
Man City fans made a misstep when they decided to mock Real Madrid and its stars ahead of their Champions League clash. The banner, featuring Oasis lyrics and an image of Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or trophy, quickly backfired when Real Madrid snatched a last-minute win. Our call? Blatant own goal.
Everton’s Goodison Derby Goodbye
The last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was nothing short of epic. A last-minute goal by James Tarkowski resulted in a mini pitch invasion and a mass brawl, making it a memorable send-off. We say it’s a Blatant worldie.
Kane’s Bold New Boots
Harry Kane is making a statement with his new boots from Skechers. The SKX Electrum, with its striking colorway, isn’t for the faint-hearted. Our take? Maverick own goal.
A Vintage FA Cup Upset
Plymouth pulled off an epic FA Cup upset against Liverpool, proving that the magic of the Cup is still alive. The Championship’s bottom club triumphed 1-0, courtesy of a cool Ryan Hardie penalty. We call it a Maverick worldie.
Arne Slot Loses It
Arne Slot, the picture of cool, finally lost it when Tarkowski scored the leveller in the last second of the derby. His tantrum, followed by an aggressively sarcastic shake of the referee’s hand, earned him an instant dismissal. Our verdict? Blatant own goal.
Nike Re-Release Classic PL Balls
Nike is going out in style by re-releasing three iconic Premier League balls in the Heritage pack. It’s a throwback we didn’t know we needed. Our take? Blatant worldie.
PUMA Creativity Pack
German sportswear giant PUMA has honored Neymar with a new boot pack. The Creativity pack, featuring the FUTURE8 boot in a striking ‘orange poppy’ colorway, matches Neymar’s flair perfectly. We say it’s a Maverick worldie.
Football Manager 25 is Cancelled
Bad news for Football Manager fans: the latest instalment of the game has been cancelled. Due to various challenges, the developers haven’t been able to achieve their goals for the game and have shifted their focus to the next release. Our verdict? Maverick own goal.