adidas Predator Mania boots re-released on 20th anniversary of Zinedine Zidane’s goal

In an age of endless and sometimes needless football boot innovations, sometimes a simple nostalgia pop is all us fans need to be happy.

Sock boots this, no laces that, whatever happened to the standard fold over tongue? After all, it was that era of football boots that were worn for some of the game’s most iconic goals.

Well, adidas have come to their senses and given us exactly what we want and need, announcing a limited re-release of their iconic Predator Mania, in its traditional black, red and white colourway.

A boot silo that resonates with so many different types of football fan, the Predator is perhaps the most famous boot ever, with many suggesting that the early-2000s Mania iteration is possibly the greatest football boot ever. And we’d struggle to disagree.

The Predator Mania was worn by the likes of David Beckham, Alessandro Del Piero, Steven Gerrard and many more legends of the game, and was always on show on the biggest stages of club and international football.

Enthusiasts will remember the famous blue colour that launched ahead of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Crucially, the black/white/red version of the Mania was what Zinedine Zidane was wearing when he scored his unworldly volley to win Real Madrid the Champions League final in 2002.

A strike that is still considered by many as the greatest goal ever in Champions League final history, it was the Predator Mania laced to the feet of Zizou as he somehow met the ball mid-air and rifled it home on his ‘weaker’ left foot – if you can even call it that – to ensure Los Blancos saw off Bayer Leverkusen.

It’s an unforgettable strike, especially considering the game Zidane pulled it off in. And it’s one that you simply can’t get sick of seeing.

Nam