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Saturday 27 July 2013

How Rooney's New Boots Are Made At An Exclusive Factory In Italy

The skull and crossbone should serve as a warning to defenders. These are the weapons of match destruction that Wayne Rooney, Neymar and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will wear this season.
They are Nike's new Hypervenom boots, unveiled earlier this summer in Brazil and ready to cause havoc on the pitch.
But before handed over to some of the world's most fearsome attacker, they are each individually crafted and fine-tuned at an exclusive Italian factory.
Italian job: A factory worker gets to work on Wayne Rooney's new Nike Hypervenom boots
Italian job: A factory worker gets to work on Wayne Rooney's new Nike Hypervenom boots

Wayne Rooney
Rooney's boots being made
Bright spark: Rooney first wore the boots in Brazil - and scored for England - which have his 'WR 10' logo (R)
On the list: The workers are supplied player-specific sheets to help them craft the perfect boot
On the list: The workers are supplied player-specific sheets to help them craft the perfect boot


As these pictures show, Sportsmail has been granted a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the special manufacturing process at Nike's Montebelluna boot room.

Bootmakers are handed precise details and exact specifications for their top-tier clients, including Danny Welbeck, Thiago, Clint Dempsey and Gonzalo Higuain, to ensure the perfect fit.
Rooney scored a memorable goal for England at the Maracana when he debuted the bright orange footwear and new £50million Barcelona signing Neymar played a significant role in the design.

The Brazilian superstar told the sports giant: 'Help me make space more often and more quickly.


Tools of the trade: Barcelona star Neymar played a significant role in the design of the new boots
Tools of the trade: Barcelona star Neymar played a significant role in the design of the new boots

Box to box: Neymar's boots are ready to be dispatched after going through a special process
Box to box: Neymar's boots are ready to be dispatched after going through a special process

Close control: Neymar wore the new boots throughout Brazil's successful Confederations Cup campaign
Close control: Neymar wore the new boots throughout Brazil's successful Confederations Cup campaign

'I want a boot that helps enhance my agility and gives me the space to get my shot off before I’m closed down.'

Workers at the Italian boot HQ are tasked with controlling high-powered machinery to sculpt the £170 silos before hand-stitching player-specific logos (like Rooney's requested 'WR 10') and gluing on the sole, complete with studs.

'The Hypervenom is the ultimate expression of this new breed of athlete who is unpredictable. He is agile. He is quick. And he can finish like very few players on the planet,' said Phil McCartney, Nike Football's vice president.

Work in progress: Arsenal ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's boots are on the production table
Work in progress: Arsenal ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's boots are on the production table

Good to go: Oxlade-Chamerlain has been wearing the boots during Arsenal's pre-season tour in Asia
Good to go: Oxlade-Chamerlain has been wearing the boots during Arsenal's pre-season tour in Asia
'Neymar’s input was invaluable. He had been wearing the Mercurial Vapor IX a boot designed to help athletes look and find space to beat a man. It’s a pure speed product.

'The Hypervenom focuses on creating the space in order to put the ball in the net. It’s a small but important nuance.'

Once finished, the boots are boxed up and dispatched to the players... although it's down to them to deliver the goods once they receive them.
Welbeck's boots being made
Stitch up: Danny Welbeck's boots are personalised before being sent to the Manchester United striker

Show time: Welbeck wore the boots during Manchester United's recent pre-season clash against Yokohama
Show time: Welbeck wore the boots during Manchester United's recent pre-season clash against Yokohama
Part of the list: Tottenham's Clint Dempsey has a host of requests for his boots
Part of the list: Tottenham's Clint Dempsey has a host of requests for his boots
Pass and move: Dempsey parade his new footwear during Tottenham's defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday


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