Twelve months ago we pondered what 2011 would hold for the competitive speed ranges - Nike Mercurial and adidas F50? As 2011 draws to a close, we look back on the year it's been for the F50 and Mercurial ranges, and look forward to 2012...

Last years showdown article was prompted by the explosive 2010 we'd seen from the F50 range. After years playing around with a tunit adaptable stud system, adidas tore up their own rule book in 2010 and unleashed the adizero, much to the shock of the boot community and the long-reigning Mercurial range. What we anticipated then, was a backlash from Nike in 2011.


2010, F50 shocked Nike with the adizero, but how did the Mercurial fight back in 2011?

But few would argue that 2011 was again the year for the F50 to make the headlines, as adidas revolutionised boot innovation by implanting a brain to monitor player performance. So it seems the problem Nike have, can be reflected in the battle that rages between the respective boots' major stars. Whilst no-one could deny that Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenal footballer who performs at an exceptional level, it's Lionel Messi who grabs all the headlines!





In 2011, the adidas F50 adizero range continued to dazzle thanks to Lionel Messi's performances, and a partial re-launch in January of the first generation with a re-designed colour-scheme. Then in September adidas stunned the boot world, launching the 'the worlds first football boot with a brain'. A revolutionary re-design of the F50 adizero, now featuring miCoach – a computer chip based technology capable of measuring and recording personal performance data.



With all the hype surrounding the adizero, its easy to forget that Nike have had a great year when it comes to speed boots. Their lead star Cristiano has continued his electrifying on-pitch performances, and the boots have caught the eye with some of the most eccentric and colourful designs. And let's not forget, Nike have long said that their focus is not on lightweight performance, but on speed, traction and acceleration, as few could deny their uppers and outsole are some of the most uniquely engineered.





2011's Mercurial range might be reminiscent of 2010, but we think that's because Nike have got a card up their sleeve! Boot development isn't a quick process, and after the adizero was launched we were expecting a reaction from Nike, which has yet to come. Could it be then, that Nike have kept their fans happy throughout 2011 with some of the most outrageous looking boots to take to a football pitch, knowing they've got something special planned for 2012?



So what are you expecting in 2012? What new releases would you like to see from Nike and adidas? Both the F50 and Mercurial boot ranges will get an update at some point during the 2012 calendar year, so what can these two heavyweights of the speed category do to impress their fans.