• Neymar and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain during a training session ahead of the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich at Estadio do Sport in Lisbon. Getty
    Neymar and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain during a training session ahead of the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich at Estadio do Sport in Lisbon. Getty
  • Neymar during the training session. Getty
    Neymar during the training session. Getty
  • PSG are in their first Champions League final. Getty
    PSG are in their first Champions League final. Getty
  • Neymar is the world's most expensive player. Getty
    Neymar is the world's most expensive player. Getty
  • Pablo Sarabia and Angel Di Maria. Getty
    Pablo Sarabia and Angel Di Maria. Getty
  • Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain. Getty
    Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain. Getty
  • Thomas Tuchel, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, watches the training session. Getty
    Thomas Tuchel, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, watches the training session. Getty
  • Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain during training. Getty
    Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain during training. Getty

Champions League final: Kylian Mbappe reveals the story behind his special pink boots


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Kylian Mbappe stands out on most football pitches he steps on.

But in Sunday's Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, the most exciting young player in the world will catch the eye for an extra reason.

The Frenchman will be wearing a snazzy new pair of pink boots - the Nike Mercurial Superfly Mbappe Rosa - as he tries to find a way past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

And Mbappe has revealed how his new boots, a new version of the 2008 Mecurial Vapor Rosa, have brought back memories of his humble beginnings and life lessons from his parents.

"When I was a young boy around 10 years old I saw these incredible pink boots being worn by some of my favourite players in the world," he said.

"I wanted those boots so badly, I begged my parents to get some and they told me that if I worked really hard and did well at school for long enough I could get these beautiful boots. I listened to my parents and worked so hard that in the end they had to get them for me. I was so happy!"

The Nike Mercurial Superfly Mbappé Rosa. Courtesy Nike
The Nike Mercurial Superfly Mbappé Rosa. Courtesy Nike

He added on social media that his parents "saved up for a quarter" to be able to afford the boots for him more than a decade ago, and how the first edition of the Mecurial Pink Panther were worn by "the great Frank Ribery".

The boot will be available for the public to buy from August 31.

Mbappe meanwhile says he is determined to make history against Bayern.

"This is exactly why I came here. I always said that I wanted to go down in my country's history. Tomorrow is another chance to do that," Mbappe said on the eve of PSG's first Champions League final appearance.

He has once again been in fine form this season, scoring 29 goals in all competitions, and helped PSG win their seventh league title in eight years.

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Adidas Predator, Puma King: 10 great football boots

  • Puma King: Released in 1970, the King was the choice of footwear for icons such as Pele. Puma pioneered the concept of lightweight materials for boots, were one of the first to introduce all-white boots, and began the era of big sponsorship deals with players. Getty Images
    Puma King: Released in 1970, the King was the choice of footwear for icons such as Pele. Puma pioneered the concept of lightweight materials for boots, were one of the first to introduce all-white boots, and began the era of big sponsorship deals with players. Getty Images
  • Adidas Copa Mundial: The iconic black and white colours were developed mainly for the 1982 World Cup. At the time, it was lightest boot on the market. And you can never forget those simple and timeless lines. Reuters
    Adidas Copa Mundial: The iconic black and white colours were developed mainly for the 1982 World Cup. At the time, it was lightest boot on the market. And you can never forget those simple and timeless lines. Reuters
  • Nike Air Zoom Total 90 III: Fernando Torres, Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo with another 'great'. The Air Zoom Total 90 III was introduced at Euro 2004. The concept was to provide power and comfort for the entire match. The 'off-centre lacing' of Total 90 II, released in 2002, was seen as revolutionary. Getty
    Nike Air Zoom Total 90 III: Fernando Torres, Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo with another 'great'. The Air Zoom Total 90 III was introduced at Euro 2004. The concept was to provide power and comfort for the entire match. The 'off-centre lacing' of Total 90 II, released in 2002, was seen as revolutionary. Getty
  • Adidas F50: These are the newer versions of the 2004 edition that brought about a major change - leather upper to cover laces and allow for a larger strike zone for the forwards. Shutterstock
    Adidas F50: These are the newer versions of the 2004 edition that brought about a major change - leather upper to cover laces and allow for a larger strike zone for the forwards. Shutterstock
  • Hi-Tec: Remember these? Dennis Wise wore them. Roy Keane was advertised as making it to every major competition in 1999/2000 in Hi-Tech boots. Getty
    Hi-Tec: Remember these? Dennis Wise wore them. Roy Keane was advertised as making it to every major competition in 1999/2000 in Hi-Tech boots. Getty
  • Mizuno Wave Cup: A little know Japanese brand called Mizuno snagged a superstar like Rivaldo at the beginning of the century. The Brazilian, seen here wearing the Wave Cup, had a stellar 2002 World Cup in Japan. It proved to be perfect timing as their new stud configuration was later adopted by other brands. Getty
    Mizuno Wave Cup: A little know Japanese brand called Mizuno snagged a superstar like Rivaldo at the beginning of the century. The Brazilian, seen here wearing the Wave Cup, had a stellar 2002 World Cup in Japan. It proved to be perfect timing as their new stud configuration was later adopted by other brands. Getty
  • Puma V1.06: Debuted at the 2006 World Cup as the lightest boots in the market. Peter Crouch of England was among those who wore these beauties. Getty
    Puma V1.06: Debuted at the 2006 World Cup as the lightest boots in the market. Peter Crouch of England was among those who wore these beauties. Getty
  • Adidas F50 Adizero: That's Lionel Messi's work boots. Launched in 2010, the boots weighed just 165 grams, which were the lightest in the world and took over from Nike SuperFly. Reuters
    Adidas F50 Adizero: That's Lionel Messi's work boots. Launched in 2010, the boots weighed just 165 grams, which were the lightest in the world and took over from Nike SuperFly. Reuters
  • Nike Mercurial SuperFly II: The boot that changed the game this century. Carbon fibre soleplate and 'flywire' knitting made SuperFly I super light - around 185 grams. The SuperFly II, pictured here, was introduced one year later in 2010 and came with a high-tech stud that adjusted according to conditions. Reuters
    Nike Mercurial SuperFly II: The boot that changed the game this century. Carbon fibre soleplate and 'flywire' knitting made SuperFly I super light - around 185 grams. The SuperFly II, pictured here, was introduced one year later in 2010 and came with a high-tech stud that adjusted according to conditions. Reuters
  • Adidas Predator: The undisputed king of high performance football shoes. The Predator, launched in 1994, defined the modern era of football, increasing the power and spin imparted on the ball through rubber patches at the top of the shoe. Getty
    Adidas Predator: The undisputed king of high performance football shoes. The Predator, launched in 1994, defined the modern era of football, increasing the power and spin imparted on the ball through rubber patches at the top of the shoe. Getty