Nike Tiempo Legend V Premium

Certain football (soccer) boots stand the test of time, and like anything with longevity it’s normally because it speaks of quality. The Nike Tiempo is such a boot.

First introduced as the Tiempo D in 1985, while the boot has evolved it has stayed true to its roots, with a fold-over tongue to provide a flat surface atop the laces for a better strike of the ball. It has been so popular, eight Brazil players wore it in the 1994 World Cup Final in California. However, as boots and laces evolved, this was no longer necessary and the iconic tongue was retired with the launch of the Tiempo IV in 2011.

There is however, Nike’s calling card, “Engineered to the exact specifications of championship athletes” and one player as iconic as the Tiempo, Francesco Totti. Who according to Nike has continued to request the Tiempo tongue on his boots through the years.

“I have always played with boots that had a tongue and for me, this detail on the product is very important. I wear the Tiempo because it is a comfortable boot with a soft leather upper that adapts well to the foot’s shape and grants a great touch of the ball. It’s a classic boot that helps me perform at my best when I’m on the pitch.” – Francesco Totti

In honour of Totti who has played his entire career with AS Roma, becoming the club’s top goal scorer and its most-capped player, Nike have released the limited-edition Tiempo Legend V Premium. Made with Nike Hypershield and Quilted Alegria leather, the boots feature a unique logo on the sock-liner that incorporates Totti’s uniform number (10), while the tongue and Swoosh include a metallic aesthetic designed to mimic armour.

Act fast though, for there are only 3,000 individually numbered pairs of the Tiempo Legend V Premium available, on nike.com and at select retailers from March 5, 2015.