After years of silence and budget cuts, Nike is finally waking up. The American giant is showing clear signs of a massive counter-attack to reclaim its spot as the undisputed king of football, following a period where Adidas dominated the market.
From massive kit deals to the return of Cristiano Ronaldo as a key ambassador, Nike is pulling out all the stops for 2026.
The Context: How Nike Fell Behind
To understand the comeback, we must look at the decline. Between 2020 and 2023, Nike significantly reduced its investment in football. They cut ties with many top players and reduced kit supply deals for major leagues.
Nike Have Lost Interest in Men's Football
In 2023, Nike lost the contract to supply balls for all Conmebol competitions (including the Copa America and Copa Libertadores). From the 2025-26 season, they will no longer supply the English Premier League, getting replaced by Puma - this means that Nike have no big league deal soon.
Nike Have Lost Interest in Men's Football
All Nike Players Who Left Brand in 2023
Financially, the brand announced a plan to cut $2 billion in costs between 2023 and 2025. While Nike was retreating, Adidas surged ahead. The Three Stripes released hit after hit in 2024 and 2025, capturing the market's attention with successful retro collections and high-performing boots.
The Comeback
The Counter-Attack: Big Money Kit Deals
- Germany (DFB): In a move that shocked the industry, Nike "stole" the German National Team contract from Adidas, starting in 2027.
- Brazil & Barcelona: Nike secured its legacy by renewing contracts with Brazil and FC Barcelona until 2038, with the Barça deal being a record-breaking financial package.
Marketing: Events, Nostalgia & The Return of T90
Nike has realized that "cool" sells. Since late 2024, the brand has ramped up its marketing efforts:
- Campaigns: High-budget campaigns like "Scary Good" and the cinematic "Hollywood Keepers" photoshoot have brought the "Just Do It" swagger back.
- Events: The "Toma Miami" event featured icons like Travis Scott and Ronaldo Nazário connecting with fans.
- T90 Revival: Capitalizing on nostalgia, Nike has spent 2025 pushing the return of the Total 90. From small-sided colorways to pop-up events in major cities, the T90 is back.
Boots: Remakes and Aggressive Scheduling
Nike is no longer waiting around. For the first time, Nike released its "New Year" boot collection -the 'Attack' Pack, before Christmas. This move allows them to dominate the conversation before Adidas and Puma launch their 2026 lineups.
Furthermore, Nike is leaning heavily into remakes of their "golden era" silos:
- Mercurial Vapor 1 (Re-released Dec 2024)
- Hypervenom 1 (Re-released March 2025)
- Mercurial Superfly 1 (Rumored for 2026)
The Return of the King: CR7
Perhaps the most significant signal of Nike's intent is the situation with Cristiano Ronaldo.
For the past three years, the relationship between Nike and CR7 seemed cold. Ronaldo had not appeared in major product ads, and his last signature boot was for the 2022 World Cup.
However, in the last few days, Ronaldo was spotted wearing blacked-out Mercurial prototypes for the first time since 2022. This suggests he is back in the fold as a lead ambassador for the 2026 World Cup - his potential "Last Dance." Rumors suggest a spectacular Superfly 1 Remake could be his weapon of choice for the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo Set to Return as Main Nike Ambassador in 2026?
Nike is clearly done playing defense. 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the Swoosh.
Do you think Nike can overtake Adidas again in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.