Neymar Jr. may not be taking the field this month to rep Brazil in Copa America Centenario, but he’s still making moves in a major way. Neymar Jr. recently visited New York to meet Michael Jordan. The reason – the NJR X Jordan Collection – a Nike-Jordan-Neymar Jr. collaboration which makes Neymar Jr. the first football (soccer) athlete to feature the Jordan Jumpman on his performance product.
The Backstory
Neymar Jr. grew up a fan of the man and the brand, while Jordan appreciates Neymar Jr.’s style on and off the pitch. So naturally, a collaboration was a no-brainer. According to Neymar Jordan has always inspired him and he was always a fan of the brand.
“Michael Jordan me inspirou na busca pela excelência por tudo o que fez na carreira de treinar e buscar sempre ser melhor do que ele mesmo. E isso acho que foi algo que me inspirou, algo que eu fiquei pensando e tentando colocar na minha vida, tentando colocar no meu futebol, para que todo dia eu pudesse melhorar e ta sendo melhor do que eu mesmo.” (Translated: Michael Jordan inspired me in the search for excellence with everything he did in his career, his training and always seeking to be better than himself. And I think that was something that inspired me, something that I was always thinking about and trying to have in my life, trying to have in my football, so that every day I could improve and be better than myself.)
Meu primeiro tênis Jordan foi um presente da Nike, eu sempre usava pra ir a escola, não tirava do pé. Tanto que ele acabou abrindo na frente porque eu usava pra jogar bola também na escola. (Translated: My first Jordan shoes were a gift from Nike, I always used them at school, I didn’t take them off my feet. So much so that I ended up opening up the front because I used to play ball with them so much.)
So we know about the collaborators, what about the collection? Click to see more of it after the jump…
The Collection
Hypervenom Boot
“The Jordan V is very iconic and has the fighter jet shark teeth on the front,” explains Nathan VanHook, Nike Football Sr. Design Director, “and the Hypervenom II that Neymar Jr. wears has an almost modernized version of that feature, so we took those elements and put them together.”
Neymar Jr.’s Brasil number, 10, appears on the lateral side of the left boot and per Neymar Jr.’s request, the number 23 is on the right boot paying homage to Jordan. Jordan’s iconic cement print is recreated on the soleplate of the Hypervenom, along with the Jumpan logo underfoot.
Nike, Jordan and Neymar are never one to miss details. The initials of Neymar Jr.’s son (“DL”) appear on the laces, as does the icon of the Brasil flag.
Jordan V Low – Neymar Edition
It’s not just all football (soccer) gear. Additionally, the Jordan Brand will release a Neymar edition of the Jordan V Low with “Neymar” stitched inside the tongue, as well as apparel and a football training shoe. Marking the first time the Jordan Brand has launched a complete collection for an athlete who is not a member of the Jordan Brand. Not too shabby!!!
Neymar Jr. will wear the NJR x JORDAN Hypervenom on-pitch this August when competing for Brazil in the 2016 Olympic Games. The NJR x JORDAN collection will be available in youth and adult sizes beginning June 1 via the Nike Football App and June 3 on Nike.com.
