Update: Since September until now, many more players have left Nike and will continue to do so. Let's take a look at these players with Footy Headlines.
Since the beginning of 2023, many of Nike's star players have officially left this sports brand, with some players rumored not to have had their contracts renewed by Nike. Let's sum up these players with Footy Headlines.
The players have officially left Nike
Players who have officially left Nike have joined Puma or Adidas.
Kai Havertz
No More Redout Boots: Havertz Completes Puma Switch
In mid-September, Kai Havertz was spotted wearing blackout Puma Future Ultimate boots instead of Nike Phantom GX during a game against the German national team. About a month later, Puma officially announced a long-term relationship with Kai Havertz.
Dani Carvajal
After Whole Career With Nike: Carvajal Leaves Swoosh for Puma
After spending his entire career with Nike, Dani Carvajal officially joined Puma at the end of October.
Alexandre Lacazette
No More Nike - Alexandre Lacazette Officially Joins Puma
Lacazette follows in the footsteps of many to leave Nike for Puma.
Lisandro Martinez left Nike and switched to Adidas X Speedportal shoes from the start of the 2022 World Cup. Then, in early 2023, Licha and Adidas officially announced a long-term partnership.
Although Jack Grealish was one of the first Nike players to wear the Phantom GX boots at the 2022 World Cup, by the end of that tournament, Jack was wearing blackout Phantom GX boots. The player then officially parted ways with Nike and joined Puma.
After the 2022 World Cup, Kovacic switched from his usual Nike Mercurial Vapor boots to Puma Ultra Ultimate boots. In March 3023, Puma officially announced a new contract with Kovacic.
Not as high profile as the names above, Akanji is another player who has switched from Nike to Puma Future Ultimate for 2023.
Dembele was spotted wearing Puma Ultra Ultimate shoes at the end of April 2023. But now, Dembele has been wearing Adidas X Crazyfast boots in official PSG matches. Although no official announcement has been made, it looks like Dembele will be signing with Adidas.
On 17 August, Skechers officially announced a long-term deal with star footballer Harry Kane, ending the partnership between Harry Kane and Nike.
The players rumored to be leaving Nike
These players are likely to be in the final stages of their Nike contracts, so have been found to have worn other sports shoes during training and then returned to wearing Nike shoes for official matches.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
No More Surprises: Kvaratskhelia is the Next Player to Leave Nike
Despite an excellent 2022-23 season and continued good form this season, Nike appears to have little interest in renewing Kvara's contract. At the end of October Kvarat wore Puma Future Ultimate boots and a few days ago he wore next-gen Adidas Predator 2024 boots. This shows that he will be joining Puma or Adidas in the near future.
Matthijs de Ligt
No More Nike - Matthijs De Ligt to Rejoin Adidas?
After more than a year with Nike, De Ligt regularly wore the Phantom GT and later the Phantom GX. But in recent training, De Ligt returned to the shoe line he regularly wore in the past - Adidas X. This shows that De Ligt is likely to leave Nike and return to Adidas.
Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero is the Next Player to Leave Nike
During a training session with the Argentina squad in mid-November, Romero was spotted wearing Adidas X Crazyfast boots instead of the familiar Nike Mercurial Vapor, indicating that he is likely to leave Nike for Adidas soon.
Vlahovic recently wore the Adidas X Crazyfast with Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 during Juventus matches. This shows that he may be joining Adidas in the near future.
Mahrez was first spotted wearing Puma Ultra Ultimate shoes in late January 2023, and then also wore Puma Future Ultimate shoes during a Manchester City training session. To date, however, Mahrez still wears Nike Mercurial Superfly boots for official matches. It is unclear whether or not Mahrez will leave Nike to join Puma.
Although he is known to regularly use custom Nike Mercurial, Aubameyang recently wore the Adidas X Crazyfast during a training session with Olympique de Marseille, suggesting that he may ditch Nike in the near future.
Alisson Becker has covered the Nike logo on his gloves with tape. This shows that his contract with Nike has probably expired and he is looking for a new sports brand.
Fran Garcia painted his Nike Mercurial Superfly boots black during recent Real Madrid matches, which confirms Fran Garcia's contract with Nike has expired.
Theo Hernandez also wore the Adidas X Crazyfast boots during a recent AC Milan training session. It's possible that his contract with Nike is about to expire and that Nike have no intention of renewing it.
Enzo is the latest player to ditch Nike boots. He wore Puma Ultra Ultimate boots at Chelsea's recent training session and many believe he will sign a contract with Puma in the near future.
Despite owning many excellent young stars such as Marcus Rashford, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, it won't be good if Nike continues to let its other stars leave.
Not only in 2023, but also in recent years, the number of players leaving Nike for other sports brands has been very high.
Nike Has Lost More Than 40 Important Players In Past 6 Months - Updated
Do you think Nike should be worried about losing more players to other sports brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below.