Retrospect | Nike CTR360 Maestri Collection - Football News

With the latest spring/summer colourway marking the end of the CTR360 series, we're taking a look back at all three generations of one of Nike's most loved silos. The Maestri has been worn by some of the world's greatest players in the biggest games for the last five years but as technology advances the CTR makes way for the new Magista.





Nike centred the CTR around control, a boot for the central midfielder who pulls the strings for his team. The technology was aimed at benefiting first touch and passing and the brand saw Andres Iniesta as the perfect lead player for the silo. Football innovation doesn't stand still and Nike will retire the CTR come May in favour of their latest revolutionary Magista. CTR 2009-2014.





In June 2009 Nike launched a brand new boot silo to join the Tiempo Legend, Mercurial and T90. The CTR360 Maestri - Italian for master, was designed to deliver 360° control of the ball using dampening pods on the outside of the forefoot area to provide first touch by cushioning the ball.

Nike introduced a revolutionary new synthetic leather called KANGA-LITE, a water-resistant material that mimicked the supreme ball feel and touch of kangaroo leather. The first generation CTR featured a rubberised pass pad on the instep of the boots to provide more accuracy when passing the ball. Worn and scored in by Iniesta in the 2010 World Cup final.

After the success of the first CTR Nike launched a second generation boots in December 2010. An unprecedented debut season, including huge player uptake resulted in the CTR becoming the most hyped Nike boot. Visually the boots hadn't changed dramatically, they retained the two tone colour scheme with asymmetrical lacing and dampening pod technology.

Minor modifications on the instep of the boots were added, which consisted of new pads incorporating technology from the T90 Laser III and the CTR Maestri I. Split into two to cover a larger surface area, the new pads enhanced ball control and boosted distribution through an innovative fin structure.





A third generation of the CTR series landed in July 2012 and is still being worn on pitch now. By now the CTR had become the ultimate boot for midfield players and featured on the feet of Jack Wilshere, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. Nike had re-designed the boot with a couple of new innovations, the two colour scheme remained but Nike added their All Conditions Control (ACC) technology and brand new soleplate.

The CTR will sign off at the end of this season in the current and rather vibrant bright red colourway. The CTR was a huge chapter in the book of Nike innovation, which has now lead onto the brand's next major technology in the form of the Magista. Top silo, sad to see it go, over to you Magista.

Have you got a favourite CTR360 Maestri model and colourway? Let us know. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.