Jovani Hernandez As the year (and decade) comes to a close, conversations regarding the “Best of 2019” become more popular among spectators across music, film, and other forms of entertainment. In the realm of sports, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who had a better year than captain of the winning 2019 USWNT squad, Megan Rapinoe, who recently added Ballon d’Or recipient to her laundry list of accolades. And Nike agrees as it cements the easily-recognizable Rapinoe and her incredible last 365 days with a soccer (or football for those outside the US) boot in a pink and gold colorway–the former inspired by the one-of-a-kind player’s signature hair, and the latter by the trophies she’s won. The commemorative reach replace the typical lateral side Mercurial Vapor branding in favor of the American athlete’s first and last name in a prominent gold finish; the famed “Just Do It,” however, remains on the medial side. Regardless of where you stand on the fandom spectrum, you can’t deny that Rapinoe has left enough of a mark on the game–both on and off the pitch–to warrant such a unique edition of a boot with its own distinct legacy. Until Nike Turf its Panda about not selling this release at retail, the detailed images below are all we’re left to enjoy.
