Messi Returns From Injury In Style With New 15.1 Boots

Lionel Messi returned to the pitch this past weekend in an exhilarating El Clasico, in which Barcelona netted four goals against La Liga rivals, Real Madrid. The world's best player also debuted new Messi 15.1 boots in a striking Black and Solar Red colorway. Most of the upper is black and fades into a Solar Red striped heel and messiFRAME, which symbolizes the heat and intensity that Messi brings to every game and training session. The Messi logo is displayed largely over the toe of the boots in green and red. The green is also highlighted over the messiGAMBETRAX stud configuration. The messiTOUCH upper texture has been improved for additional grip and premium feel on the ball.

View fullsize

View fullsize

The Soccer Shop will carry the Messi 15.3 FG cleats in adult and youth sizes, and turfs and flats will also be available in youth and adult sizes.

Adidas Launches New Kits & Ball For Euro '16

In preparation for next year's Euro Tournament, Adidas has unveiled the ball that will be used during the group stages: the Beau Jeu (French for "the beautiful game). One of France's most legendary players, Zinedine Zidane, took to social media to launch the new ball. The design of the ball incorporates the technical elements of the 2014 World Cup Brazuca, with the well-received panel shape, but this time with an improved surface texture for additional grip. Beau Jeu went through an 18-month development period, and will be given to qualifying teams by the end of November 2015 to ensure that all teams receive 6 months of practice time with the ball. The visual design of the ball takes its cues from the red, white and blue of the French Tricoulour and E-U-R-O 2-0-1-6 can be found stacked in blocks around the panels.

The 2014 World Cup Champions, Germany, will look to continue their success in new white and black home kits featuring the FIFA Champions badge and a fourth star above their crest. The kits feature a subtle "success bar code" graphic that runs down the center of the jersey and represents the team's past successes on World and European stages. For the first time, the Adidas kit features the three stripes down the sides of the jersey and not the sleeves.

The Germany Away kit is featured in a unique grey-striped colorway with dark green sleeves. In another unique twist, the jersey is also reversible, with a bright yellow mesh torso that represents a training bib.

The defending European champions, Spain, will wear a traditional red and yellow home kit. The main design motif that runs throughout the jersey is a triangle, which is seen patterned across the torso. The triangle represents the famous Spanish style of play, utilizing quick passes between two or three players as the ball is moved around the field. The Adidas three stripes are featured underneath the sleeves for the first time, and blue highlights line the sleeves. The away jersey is predominately white with a retro-inspired red and yellow blocking pattern across the chest.

The 2016 Euro Official Match Ball will be available in the shop in size 5. The Spain home and away jerseys are available in youth sizes, and the German home and away kits are available in youth and adult sizes.

Savage Beauty: Next Chapter For CR7 & Nike

Nike continues the already legendary CR7 story with the first "chapter" in a series of 7 Mercurial boots that will be released over the next several seasons. This first chapter starts at the beginning, with a boot design inspired by Ronaldo's hometown on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The lava pattern on the side of the boot is a nod to the volcanic origin of the island. The six-color design accentuates Ronaldo's speed, and is the most elaborate design that Nike has attempted for a football boot. The "Savage Beauty" Mercurial is finished off with smaller CR7 branding and white Nike Swoosh details.

The CR7 Savage Beauty Mercurial Victory will be available in The Soccer Shop in turfs, flats, and firm ground cleats for both adult and youth sizes.

USWNT Bids a Heartfelt Farewell To Lauren Holiday, Shannon Boxx & Lori Chalupny

The USWNT completed a 2-game series against Brazil over the weekend as a part of their continuing Victory Tour from the 2015 World Cup Win. The series was bittersweet with new, talented players joining the squad and three of the team's most successful players finishing up their International careers. Shannon Boxx played her last game in Seattle, which ended in a 1-1 draw with Brazil. The match was Boxx's 195th cap, and she ends her career as a World Champion and a 3-time Olympic champion. 

The game on Sunday in Orlando proved more successful for the U.S., with Alex Morgan scoring early in the first half and newcomers Crystal Dunn and Stephanie McCaffrey sealing the win 3-1. This was the last match for Lauren Holiday and Lori Chalupny, who are both World Cup and Olympic champions with 133 and 106 caps respectively. Holiday reflected on her tremendous career before the game: 

Everyone’s goal on this team is to leave this game better than they found it. I think my generation of players has done that, and I’m incredibly proud how this team has handled all the ups and downs along the way, all the while being so dedicated to improving women’s sports overall. This will be the greatest job I’ll ever have and I’m absolutely honored to have been a part of this team and this tradition.