Reintroducing a Nike Football Icon, the Chrome Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN

What to know

• The chrome Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN, first worn by Ronaldo in 2002, will shine again this season on the feet of Nike athlete Vini Jr., enabling the speed and control central to his game.
• A suite of modern updates advances the legacy of the iconic boot, which was designed to reflect its environment: flashing cameras, packed stadiums and manicured football pitches.
• A limited run of 4,500 pairs, each including a unique tag referencing its production number, will be available at nike.com and select retail locations December 9.

Vini Jr. doesn’t just play. He seizes the spotlight, bringing to the pitch a flashy, fearless mentality rooted in Brazilian football history.

And this season, his boots will reflect his standing atop the game, resurfacing an iconic chrome colorway made famous by none other than Ronaldo himself.

The chrome Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN, first worn by R9 in 2002, will shine again on Vini’s feet, enabling the speed and control central to his game.

“It’s a really special feeling to use these boots now, knowing the history behind them,” says Vini Jr., a Nike athlete since 2013. “They’re such an iconic boot and a symbol of one of the biggest legends of the game, Ronaldo. I can’t wait to try them in the next games — hopefully, I’ll score as many goals as R9 did with them.”

Originally inspired by the astonishing speed of sports cars, the Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN was designed to reflect its environment: flashing cameras, packed stadiums and manicured football pitches. A reference to Ronaldo on the inside of the tongue further underscores boot’s heritage — and what’s possible for those who wear it.

“The chrome colorway with the neon green details makes such a perfect combo,” Vini Jr. says. “And of course, the little R9 on the tongue is a standout. That detail makes the boots feel so unique and special, like a tribute to greatness.”

A suite of modern updates advances the legacy of the iconic boot, which now includes form-fitting FlyTouch+ technology to give footballers more grip in wet weather, along with a wave-like traction pattern that promotes quicker cuts under all conditions.

Meanwhile, an Air Zoom unit delivers maximum speed, and an anatomical boot last promotes comfort that extends throughout the duration of a match.

In a nod to the original boot’s standing among the most famous in the game, each modern silhouette will include a unique tag that references its place in a limited run of only 4,500 pairs.

Following in Ronaldo’s footsteps with the Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN, Vini Jr. strives to inspire the next generation of Brazilian footballers to foster a love for the game, push their limits and play with joy.

“I want young Brazilian players to dream big, to believe that no matter where they come from, they can reach the highest level with hard work, passion and dedication,” Vini Jr. says. “I hope kids in Brazil understand that the dream is real — that they can be the next ones to represent our country, bring joy to the people and write their own history. Most importantly, I want them to always play with love for the game, like we do in the streets of Brazil.”

The Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN will be available at nike.com and select retail locations December 9.

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Mercurial Vapor 1 RGN