One-Hit Silo Wonders : Football Boots : Soccer Bible

Our recent Steven Gerrard Predator history timeline got us wondering which other players have remained in in the same silo for the entirety of their career.

A lot of these players have tested other boots, however they have always remained true to one silo. We've picked out 10 players who, over the years, have been regular supporters of one particular brand or piece of footwear. Anyway, less chat, more action. Let's get stuck in.

Michael Ballack│Predator│We kick off with Ballack who became synonymous with the Predator name, the boot very much reflects his playing style as a power player. Since '99 we've seen Ballack experiment with the adidas Predator Accelerator (although not pictured, trust us on this!) he went back to the World Cup boot for a while, before falling in love with the Pred Mania and the rest was history. Ballack wore nine different models throughout his career until the German decided to call it a day. He played his professional career out in the Predator LZ, playing his last ever game for Bayer Leverkusen.



Cristiano Ronaldo│Mercurial│From Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United and now Real Madrid, the Mercurial boot is very much a key item in CR7's kitbag. During his career we have seen Ronaldo utilise the full Mercurial range from the Mercurial Vapor I all the way to the Mercurial Superfly IV. In a career which has captured many wonderful individual achievements, Nike have looked after their prized asset with some special edition Mercurials. Most notable, both of his Ballon d'Or boots.  



Xavi Hernandez│Predator│Ever since breaking into the Barcelona team we've seen Xavi become accustomed to the Predator boot. The pass master is nearly knocking on 500 league appearances for Barca and in that time we've seen Xavi choose the Predator as his weapon of choice. The Predator Precision was Xavi's initial boot and his support continued right up until the present day where he currently laces up in the Predator Instinct. We think he must have a tasty little pension of Predators at home, having worn a total of ten different models.



Franck Ribery│Mercurial│Ribery was a player who first came to the World's attention at the '06 World Cup, wearing the Mercurial Vapor III. Ribery was a shining light in the French side who eventually made it through to the Final. Before the World Cup, Ribery first started his career wearing the Vapor II while playing for french side Metz. Ribery has represented seven different clubs in his senior career, and since Metz we have seen Ribery trial ten different Mercurials. One of the most memorable which sticks out, has to be the "Pink Berry" Mercurial Vapor IV boot. Fruity.



David Beckham│Predator│If you mention Predator football boots, the first name to come to mind will be David Beckham. During his early days he may have worn Asics, be it for a very short time period, before adidas came knocking. Beckham has been one of the longest standing servers to the Predator name, having worn a total of eleven different Predator models - many of which were signature boots. From scoring that goal from the halfway against Wimbledon in the Predator Touch to a unique one-off colourway Predator LZ TRX for his last professional game were Beckham was given a very British themed pair of Predator boots.



Alexis Sanchez│Mercurial│The Chilean speed demon has had the support of Nike ever since he made his first professional debut for Chile club, Colo-Colo. From the word go, Sanchez fitted the bill of the Mercurial boot with his tenacious playing style and sheer speed. Since first starting with the Mercurial Vapor III, we've seen Sanchez use the Mercurial throughout his career. He may have flirted with the Hypervenom boot during his spell at Barcelona, but he has stuck to his guns and continued with the Mercurial line and today at Arsenal he's one of the big names associated with the Superfly name.

Didier Drogba│Mercurial│As Drogba is coming to the end of an illustrious playing career we have witnessed plenty of magical moments and he's always stuck close to the Mercurial line. Drogba has scored just over 250 goals in his career which has seen him play in France, England, China and Turkey - all his goals have come when wearing the Mercurial, showing that his Mercurials are very much a travel essential! Our most notable moment for Didier had to be scoring the Champions League final winner when wearing the Mercurial Vapor VIII.



Gerard Pique│Tiempo Legend│Pique has already won pretty much everything in the game with fine displays for both club and country. Starting his career at Manchester United then moving back to Barcelona, Pique was keen to establish himself as a top defender with some exceptional displays at the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. Pique also achieved the treble in his first season at Barcelona and all in the Tiempo Legend. His support runs through the collection, having worn them from the first Tiempo Legend all the way to the current Tiempo Legend V.



Eden Hazard│Mercurial│At the tender age of just 24: with his pace, technique and ability to produce something out of nothing Hazard fits the image of an ideal Mercurial player. In a career where he has only represented two professional clubs, Hazard has gone through a number of Mercurial models during his spells with Lille and Chelsea. The first model being the Mercurial Vapor III (again not pictured - trust us here) to now rocking the Mercurial Vapor X, wearing eight different models which dosen't included the Nike GS concept based on the Mercurial. Not bad kid. 



Zinedine Zidane│Predator│The Predator boot holds many memories for Zidane, scoring two goals in the '98 World Cup final whilst wearing a pair of Predator Accelerators, and a wonder goal at the '02 Champions League final in a pair of Predator Mania boots. Zidane was a key ambassador for the Predator name and when he announced his retirement after the '06 World Cup finals, adidas created a special golden pair of Predator Absolutes. That game may not have ended the way a legend of the game should exit, but the Predator name had been enhanced by Zidane. Merci Zidane.

Got a favourite football boot from this list, or a favourite moment produced by a player? Let us know in the comment section below.