The upstart in terms of really good match quality footballs.  Nike was really no where near to the dominance of match balls in the era before the millenium until it came up with the Nike NK 350 Geo match balls used in the Spanish La Liga in the 1996/1997 season.  Subsequently Nike was the match ball used in the 1999 UEFA Champions League finals where the NK 800 Geo was on show as Manchester United came back from a goal down to register that infamous win over Bayern Munich.  However the major coup would have been the introduction of Nike Geo Merlin match ball to be used in to 2000/2001 English Premier League that wrestled the monopoly in England’s top tier competition from Mitre and set off an ever popular use of Nike match balls in many major leagues such as the Italian Serie A.

Nike Conquest

Nike Conquest Manchester 2008 UEFA Cup Final

Nike Conquest Istanbul 2009 UEFA Cup Final

Nike Conquest Hi-Vis Istanbul 2009 UEFA Cup Final

Nike NK 800 Geo

Nike NK 800 Geo 1999 UEFA Champions League Final

Nike NK 800 Geo 1999 UEFA Champions League Final Replica

 

Nike Geo Merlin

Nike Geo Merlin

Nike Geo Merlin 2000 UEFA Champions League

 

Nike Geo Merlin 2000 to 2001 English Premier League

Nike Geo Merlin Hi-Vis 2000 to 2001 English Premier League

Nike Geo Merlin 2000 to 2001 English Premier League (with Scorpion logo)

Nike Geo Merlin Vapor

Nike Geo Merlin Vapor

Nike Geo Merlin Vapor Hi-Vis

Nike Geo Merlin Vapor 2002 to 2003 English Premier League

Nike Mercurial Veloci

Nike Mercurial Veloci

Nike Mercurial Veloci 2007 UEFA Super Cup

Nike Mercurial Veloci Glasgow 2007 UEFA Cup Final

Nike Super Cup

Nike Super Cup 2008 UEFA Super Cup

   

Nike Seitiro

Nike Seitiro 2011 English Premier League

   

Nike Total 90 Aerow

Nike Total 90 Aerow 2004 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Aerow Hi-Vis 2004 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Aerow 2005 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Aerow Hi-Vis 2005 English Premier League

   

Nike Total 90 Aerow II

Nike Total 90 Aerow II 2006 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Aerow II Hi-Vis 2006 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Aerow II 2007 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Aerow II Hi-Vis 2007 English Premier League

   

Nike Total 90 Ascente

Nike Total 90 Ascente 2009 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Ascente Hi-Vis 2009 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Ascente 2009 Red English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Ascente Red 2009 Italian Serie A

Nike Total 90 Ascente Red 2009 Spanish Primera Liga

 

Nike Total 90 Omni

Nike Total 90 Omni 2008 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Omni Hi-Vis 2008 English Premier League

 

Nike Total 90 Tracer

Nike Total 90 Tracer 10K Gold Limited Edition 2010 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Tracer 2010 English Premier League

Nike Total 90 Tracer Hi-Vis 2010 English Premier League

email

5 Comments

  1. Tim
    January 22, 2013

    I don’t collect balls for hobby but to use. I’ve gone through a bunch over the years and really found myself bumbed out if forced to use a sub standard ball, so I usually bring my own. Since my discovery of really good match balls I’ve paid attention and tried to purchase the best ball for my buck. Now I find myself in need again. I’ve owned and well loved lots of balls but they either walk off in someone else’s bag, float off down the river or simply can no longer take all my abuse. Adidas balls I’ve had and loved the roterio, teamgiest power orange, europass and M.L.S jubalani. Nike I’ve had and loved the Geo, Mercural velocity and aerrow hi vis. Even Kappa and Puma M.L.S. match balls. Now I find myself in the market for a new one. I am willing to try a different brand as long as it performs as well or better. Since I go through one or more a year I won’t spend more then $50-60 U.S. any helpful hints or websites???

    Reply
    • Wilson
      February 5, 2013

      Hi Tim, thanks for looking. I am not really aware of good websites which tests out match balls. Once in a while I see some pretty outdated ones. Based on what me and my mates are using now for our kickabouts, the Nike Tracer, Seitiro and Maxims are the best for feel and control. These are actually the same balls as the FIFA Approved codes are the same 259.Q7V.

      Reply
  2. Pablo
    February 17, 2013

    Congratulations, excellent page.

    Visit my collection in
    http://coleccion-debalones.webnode.cl/

    rgds from Chile.

    Reply
    • Wilson
      February 19, 2013

      Interesting minis you have there! :)

      Reply
  3. Ryan Elliott
    May 17, 2013

    The Nike Maxim’s are by the best footballs to use. Mitre especially with the new Delta come a close second for me. I’ve never personally got on well with Adidas footballs!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

What is 4 + 12 ?
Please leave these two fields as-is:
IMPORTANT! To be able to proceed, you need to solve the following simple math (so we know that you are a human) :-)