Since their official launch the HyperVenom has gone on to become the boot of the summer. Nike have pulled together an impressive squad of players lead by Barca's new no.11 and with the fire-power backing the new silo it got us thinking - has it overtaken the Mercurial as Nike's box office boot?
For years the Mercurial topped the charts as Nike's most popular boot but the release of the HyperVenom and the player support behind it has us contemplating a possible shift in power. The HyperVenom officially took over from the T90 but a number of pros have jumped ship from the Vapor. Is the HyperVenom just going through the shiny and new phase or is it genuinely Nike's new top dog?
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Let's start at the top, Neymar vs Ronaldo, HyperVenom vs Mercurial and now Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Nike put all their eggs in one brilliant Brazilian basket at the launch of the HyperVenom by installing Neymar as the face of the new silo and it's going to be a huge season of proving himself on the elite club stage, as for Ronaldo, he'll probably bang in 50+ goals again and still be told he's not the best player in the world. Tried and tested, we'll take Ronaldo please.
With the T90 line being retired it was a natural transition for Wayne Rooney to move into the new silo. We're still not sure what kit he'll be wearing next season but whatever badge he's got on his chest he'll have the HyperVenoms on his feet. Nike are now aiming the Mercurial at wingers and have opted to keep Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery in the speed silo. Close one this but we'll go for Ribery, he could do a job off the bench for SB FC.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is hardly a 'new breed of attack' at 31 but he's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he'll do what he wants. Ibra has moved into the HyperVenom as Nike also centre the new silo around attackers, he's skillful, has quick feet but isn't going to flying down the wing so it makes sense. Someone who will be flying down the wing though is Theo Walcott, the Arsenal man has played his whole career in the Mercurial and that won't be changing any time soon. Zlatan for us, everytime.
Real Madrid's new signing Isco has moved across from the Mercurial into the HyperVenom and he'll be in el clasico action against Pedro. The rapid Barca winger is all about blistering pace which plays perfectly into the hands of the Mercurial. Who would we rather have on our side? It's the man in the Mercurials for us. *Pings hopeless long ball into corner* Chase that son.
Another case of Nike putting their ever-so-slightly slower frontman in the HyperVenom is Higuain's move; the ex-T90 forward has been thrown into the new silo rather than moving across to the Mercurial, whilst the frightening acceleration of Sanchez stays in the Mercurial. There's a bit of a theme emerging isn't there? Out and out pace - Mercurial. Trickery and strikers - HyperVenom. Another close call, but we're going for Higuain...just.
Bayern Munich new boy Thiago is one of very few players who have joined the HyperVenom squad from a different angle. Rather than progressing from the T90 or switching from the Mercurial Thiago has swapped his CTR's for the new silo. Eden Hazard will be flying the Mercurial flag for Chelsea again this season after a brief spell in the GS2 last year. Eden, get kitted up, you're coming on.
Sneijder's HyperVenoms are a top match for his Galatasaray kit and the Dutch star has comfortably slipped into the HyperVenom from the T90. After making the brave switch from Dortmund to Bayern Munich, Mario Gotze will be laced up once again in the Mercurial, which is coincidently a better match for Dortmund's kit. We're edging towards Gotze on this one, Mr Sneijder is just on the other side of the hill.
If Rooney does stay at United then he could create a HyperVenom strike partnership at Old Trafford with Danny Welbeck. After Welbeck's horror show in front of goal last season he's tried to mix things up with new boots. AC Milan youngster El Shaarawy was flying in Serie A until Balotelli joined the San Siro club, since then he's struggled to get many minutes so it will be interesting to see if he steps it up a notch next season. This one's too close to call.
Both the HyperVenom and the Mercurial pack some serious talent within their ranks, it's hard to split them when it comes to player support but for us the Mercurial is still the daddy. The HyperVenom is a new breed, exciting and has flown out of the blocks but the Mercurial is established. So if you're asking us - has the HyperVenom replaced the Mercurial as Nike's box office boot? Not just yet...
Which silo do you think has the most impressive squad? Is the HyperVenom Nike's top boot or does the Mercurial still reign supreme? Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
