Kylian Mbappe showcased a striking Nike Mercurial Superfly VIII design during France’s recent 1-1 draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina in their 2022 World Cup Qualifying match. Contrary to typical new colorways or signature series releases, these boots were actually part of a Nike By You project.

Nike By You, formerly known as NikeiD, allows users to customize their footwear with various personalization options. In this case, the eye-catching Green, Red, and Gold color scheme was the brainchild of Brenijia Barnes, a young American fan. The design gained recognition through the efforts of non-profit organization Street Soccer USA, which invited young players to create a boot design for Mbappe, known for his lightning speed and skill.

Mbappe has been actively involved in this project from its inception, sharing Barnes’ original sketches on his Instagram Story and proudly wearing the final product during the qualifier match. The “WATTS” text seen on the boot is inspired by Street Soccer USA’s facility in the Watts Housing Projects, established in 2018. This facility aims to empower young adults and families by nurturing their talents and providing opportunities through mentorship from industry professionals.

Upon returning to domestic football with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Mbappe is expected to revert to the Nike Motivation Pack colorway.