The 5 most expensive football boots in the world
Just like the pro players who wear them, football boots can be expensive. Extremely expensive.
Each new release boasts cutting-edge tech and a stylish colourway, while also promising to improve your performance out on the pitch.
Oh, and to tempt you in, there’s usually an endorsement from one of the game’s most famous faces thrown in for good measure.
With a literal never-ending cycle of eye-popping boot drops, today we’re running you through the priciest releases out there.
Yeah, you could hop on eBay and find limited edition pairs going for £1000s, but these are the priciest boots commercially available today.
But don’t worry, we’re kindly recommending cheaper alternatives along the way too. Hey, it’s what we do here at FOOTY.COM.
How much should football boots cost?
Well, this likely depends on which level of football you’re playing, mixed with how healthy your bank balance is looking.
Kylian Mbappé’s custom-made Mercurials will cost a fair chunk more than what your pals down at Powerleague wear, for example.
Football boots can be typically classified into four tiers: entry-level, semi-pro, professional and elite. The names of these 'takedown tiers' will vary across manufacturers.
You may be leaning towards a particular silo or colourway, but your choice of football boot should largely depend on which of these tiers you fall into.
After all, you won’t want to break the bank for a pair of cutting-edge Predators if you’re just playing a bit of casual five-a-side every week.
Prices fluctuate between retailers and across the available surface types, but we’ve broken down how much you should expect to pay within each bracket (for adult sizes):
Entry-level boots: £20 - £50
Semi-pro boots: £50 - £80
Professional boots: £80 - £150
Elite boots: £150+
Top 5 most expensive football boots 2023
For those who consider themselves a “serious footballer”, forking out for boots becomes an inevitable part of every new season.
You’ll likely fall under the ‘elite’ category for boots, often coming with eye-watering price tags.
This means that your bank account will soon feel much like an away side at the Etihad. Battered, depleted and just a little bit violated.
But what are the most expensive football boots currently available on the market?
After comparing prices across trusted online retailers, we’ve found the priciest boots out there.
Whether it’s cheap or expensive boots you’re after, you’ll save a few extra pennies here.
Let’s dive in.
5. adidas X Speedportal+ (RRP £250)
What you get for your money:
Lightweight speed and the guaranteed touch of a finisher. The adidas X Speedportal is the tool used by some of the world’s silkiest and calmest finishers.
That’s Mo Salah, Lionel Messi and Alessia Russo, by the way.
Top level tech is oozing out of this laceless ‘+’ model with a Carbitex carbon fibre insert and Speedskin upper, plus their Speedrame propels you in every step. Built for speed, built for foxes in those boxes.
Cheaper alternatives:
You’ll often find the laced ‘.1’ version is cheaper, but if you’re slashing your budget we’d direct you towards the takedown X Speedportal ‘.2’ option, which has lower tech.
Alternatively, you could slip into the super light New Balance Furon V7 Pro instead.
4. adidas Predator Accuracy+ (RRP £250)
What you get for your money:
The latest in the adidas Predator series commands a fair old price tag. But we should add, it’s one of the best models in recent years.
Backed by midfield maestros such as Jude Bellingham and Lena Oberdorf, the Hybridtouch upper leads to a dreamy first touch, every time.
The Predator Accuracy is finished off by Power Facet and Facet Frame technology, which adds power to strikes and spring to acceleration. A bit like, well, a predator in the wild.
Shop adidas Predator Accuracy >
Cheaper alternatives:
As with the adidas X, you can save by buying the Accuracy ‘.1’ laced version or the takedown ‘.2’. We’d also recommend grabbing a deal for the earlier Predator Edge.
Alternatively, the Puma Future (‘Ultimate’ elite model) is known to deliver a classy first touch and comfortable feel.
3. Nike Phantom GX DF Elite (RRP £260)
What you get for your money:
Power and precision. Trusted by some of the game’s finest defensive minds and attacking threats too, this boot is the model all-rounder.
From John Stones to Alexia Putellas and Erling Haaland, they’re all trusting the Nike Phantom GX to hit their numbers.
This Elite design is packed with technology, which includes Nike’s new Gripknit upper and legendary Flyknit fit.
The Dynamic Fit collar adds a gentle hug to the ankle and covers the laces, helping you to shift the ball (and yourself) across the turf with ease.
Cheaper alternatives:
The takedown ‘Pro’ model of the Phantom GX will save you the most coin, as you’d expect though, it comes with a slight dip in tech.
On the other hand, we like the Nike Tiempo Legend 9 Elite as another amazing all-round option for less.
2. Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite By You (RRP £279.95)
What you get for your money:
Customisable beauty with acceleration. We all had the childhood dream of designing our very own football boots. Well, Nike have delivered that dream with their ‘By You’ range.
You’re free to go as wild as you like when pimping out a pair of Nike Mercurial Superfly 9 Elite on their site.
Hop into Bonmati and Mbappé’s boots, but show your own personality to the max. This model is a top tier silo with Nike’s iconic Flyknit upper and Air Zoom comfort.
It’ll set you back a fair whack, but you’ll get it just how you want it.
Shop Nike Mercurial Superfly >
Cheaper alternatives:
The Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Elite is always a little less (due to lack of a sock collar), but if you’re looking for a bargain then the Superfly ‘Pro’ option is available.
If it's the speed you need, we’d recommend taking a look at the Puma Ultra ‘Ultimate’, it weighs under 200g!
1. Mizuno Alpha x SR4 (RRP £295)
What you get for your money:
Ball control and production values, created for the footballing purist.
We’re fairly sure you were expecting to see a Mizuno boot in this list, and we’re not disappointing you. The Mizuno Alpha is known as one of the priciest around, but these works of Japanese art are premium.
Super lightweight at 190g, the tech is rammed into every part. A Fit Woven upper gives support and the ENERZY Foam underfoot gives comfort. The whole boot oozes quality.
Sergio Ramos may be coming to the end of his illustrious career, but this limited edition release is some way to sign off.
Cheaper alternatives:
The standard Alpha models are worth the investment, but we’d recommend looking elsewhere for a cheaper option.
You can pick up a pair of Mizuno Morelia Neo 3 Elite for much less, or the Puma Ultra ‘Ultimate’ has a similar look and feel.
The most expensive football boots ever
Well, this one depends on how you look at it. And we’re looking at a couple of things. The highest price ever made at auction, and also which pair is the highest value ever produced.
The highest value football boots of all time
Coming in at the highest value are a pair of John Terry’s Umbro Speciali from October 2010. Created for Rio Ferdinand’s charity launch and covered in over 2,300 jewels, the boots were valued at a staggering £135,000 at the time.
We probably shouldn’t mention that they only sold for £22,000. Oops.
The football boots that made the most at auction
In 2021, Lionel Messi’s signed adidas Nemeziz.1 ‘Precision To Blur’ football boots sold at auction for a measly $173,000. A touch more than those which we’ve picked out on our list.
Not to be confused with any standard pair, these were the boots Messi was wearing when he scored his 644th goal for Barcelona, surpassing Pele’s single club goal record. That’s $268.63 per goal, not bad.
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