Vinicius Jr wears the Nike Mercurial Vapor, the low-cut speed boot, and in 2026 he is its headline name. When Nike split the Mercurial back into two boots for this cycle, the collared Superfly 11 and the low-cut Vapor 17, it handed the Vapor to its quickest, most direct wide players, and Vini is the face of it. His Real Madrid teammate Mbappe fronts the Superfly; Vini fronts the Vapor.
He has worn the low-cut his whole career, going back to the Hypervenom Phantom, and his signatures carry his Brazil and Flamengo roots in the design. This page covers what he wears now, why he is the Vapor’s headline name, and every Vini Fly pair on the way here.
Current boot
Nike Mercurial Vapor 17, headline name
World Cup 2026 boot
Vapor 17 in the Breakout colourway
Silo
Mercurial speed boot, low-cut, the winger’s first two yards
Signature
Scorpion Pack, wearing the Vapor side-by-side with Mbappe on the Superfly
The face of the low-cut Vapor. Here is the Vapor 17 he headlines.
Check the latest Vapor 17 ↗World Cup 2026
Vini’s 2026 World Cup Boots
Nike’s World Cup boots arrive in the Breakout pack, the bright pink, white and black look on the whole roster this summer, and Vini wears the Vapor 17 version for Brazil. The Vapor 17 is the lightest Mercurial Vapor Nike has made, out on its own again as a low-cut speed boot for the first time since 2018, and Vini is the player it is marketed through.
Mercurial Vapor 17
Breakout pack · low-cut speed
The lightest, lowest Mercurial, out on its own again for the first time since 2018, and Vini is its headline name. Built for the winger who lives on the first two yards and the touch past the full-back.
View the Vapor 17 ↗
Vini “Scorpion”
Signature · Mercurial Pack
Actually part of the new-gen Superfly 11/Vapor 17 Mercurial Pack, where Vini headlines the Vapor and Mbappe the Superfly. Inspired by the iconic ‘Secret Tournament’ marketing campaign in 2002
See the Vini signature ↗The Mercurial split in two this cycle. Vini fronts the thinner, lighter Vapor; his Real Madrid teammate Mbappe fronts the Superfly (low-cut too at this time), the snappier, more responsive half of the Mercurial.
The Face of the Vapor
Vini’s boots tell a clear story once you know what to look for, and it starts with which half of the Mercurial he represents.
The role
The other Mercurial headliner
The Mercurial split into the Superfly and the Vapor, and Vini fronts the latter while Mbappe fronts the former. While the Superfly is the technological interpretation of speed, Vini and the Vapos is the simplified execution of the boot concept.
The design
Brazilian roots
“Vini Fly, Vini Voa” is a personal motto and slogan for Brazilian footballer Vinícius Júnior, often used in his signature Nike Mercurial campaigns. Translating to “Vini Fly, Vini Flies” (with “voa” being Portuguese for fly), the phrase celebrates his electric speed, boundless ambition, and elevation to the top of the game.
The tech
Minimalist speed boot
The current Vapor employs Atomknit, whose strands are stretched at its maximum for their thinnest yet most structured essence. For a dribbler and set-piece taker like Vini, that means a speed boot that has direct and full sense of the ball, a useful on the touch past a defender and the strike of a free kick.
Vini Vapor Tiers
| Version | EliteNo compromise | ProCloser to ground | AcademyBest value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boot |
|
|
|
| Upper | Atomknit | Flyknit | Nikeskin |
| Soleplate | FlyLite Platew/ chevrons on a specialised composite plate | Proprietary soleplate | NikeLite soleplateChevrons and conicals |
| Surfaces | FGAGSG |
FGAG TF |
MGAGSG TFIN |
Scroll the table sideways to see every tier →
Vinicius Jr. Previous Boots
Vinicus Jr. Signature Boots
Sunset Pulse – Looks back to Vini’s childhood and his propensity for colourful boots. Debuted his lettermark player logo.
Vini Jr Player Edition – Debuted the player’s slogan of ‘Vini Fly, Vini Voa’. Reflected his Brazilian roots, Flamengo connection and memories of kite-flying during his childhood
Vini Jr-headlined Special Nike Boots
Patta Unite – A collaboration boot that saw the application of the Air Max 1 ‘waves’ design around the edge of the upper, with an intentional colour mismatch of white for the left boot and black for the other
Air Max 95 Solar Red – Applied not only the bespoke wavy design of the Air Max 95 but also the PVC iridescent colouring seen from the Cosmic Speed series.
Vapor 1 RGN – Utilised the Flytouch+ to remake the Mercurial Vapor 1, and chose to revive the Chrome/Lime colourway worn by El Fenomeno.
Cosmic Speed 1 – Introduced a shifting, iridescent colourway on a darker base.
Air Max 95 Plus Pimento – Ridge design came from the iconic Air Max 95 Plus, with the additional bonus of having Pimento colourway reused as well.
Dream Speed Series
Cristiano Ronaldo debuted this Mercurial boot series together with Mbappe and Sam Kerr. Vinicius Jr. was one of those who became part of the series when the roster was expanded, beginning with MDS 003. He consistently favoured the low-cut Vapor models in each release.
MDS 009 – Celebrates the entire Dream Speed journey by blending elements from previous MDS releases and reinforcing the themes of speed, self-belief, and legacy.
MDS 008 – Focused on overcoming setbacks, with shattered and energetic graphics representing resilience and personal growth.
MDS 007 – Draws from the iconic Mercurial Vapor IV colorways worn by Ronaldo during some of his peak Manchester United years.
MDS 006 – Floral-inspired graphics honor elite athletes and those who helped them succeed, celebrating growth and gratitude.
MDS 005 – A Ronaldo-inspired design celebrating the calm mindset, focus, and self-belief behind elite performance.
MDS 004 – Inspired by space-shuttle re-entry and the intense energy created by objects moving at extreme speeds.
MDS 003 – Incorporated past CR7 designs and included rising Nike superstars as part of the MDS roster.
Vinicius Jr. Career and Boot Choices
Vinícius Júnior has developed from one of Brazil’s brightest teenage prospects into one of world football’s most electrifying forwards. After rising through the ranks at Flamengo, he made his senior debut at just 16 before completing a high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2018. His early years in Spain were marked by flashes of brilliance as he adapted to European football, but he soon evolved into the club’s primary attacking threat through his explosive pace, flair and improved finishing. Vinícius played a decisive role in Real Madrid’s modern era of success, scoring the winning goal in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final before finding the net again in the 2024 final, becoming one of the few players to score in multiple Champions League finals. Alongside multiple La Liga titles, Champions Leagues and domestic trophies, he was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2024, cementing his status among football’s elite.
Internationally, Vinícius has become one of the leading figures of Brazil’s new generation after progressing through the country’s youth teams to the senior Seleção. Although Brazil’s major international success has yet to match his club achievements, he has steadily grown into a decisive player on the biggest stage, starring at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and emerging as one of Brazil’s key attacking leaders heading into the 2026 tournament. Renowned for his fearless dribbling, one-on-one ability and flair that embodies the traditional jogo bonito style, Vinícius has also become a global ambassador for the fight against racism in football, using his platform to speak out against discriminatory abuse while inspiring meaningful conversations across the sport. Widely regarded as one of the world’s premier wingers, he is expected to remain a cornerstone for both Real Madrid and Brazil for years to come. Vinícius Júnior’s rise also extended off the pitch, with a high-profile contractual dispute with Nike over his role within the brand. The disagreement was eventually resolved, allowing both sides to continue a partnership that has positioned him as one of the leading ambassadors of the Mercurial franchise.
What boots does Vinicius Jr wear in 2026?
Vini headlines the Nike Mercurial Vapor 17, serving as the leading ambassador of the other half of the Nike Mercurial
What boots is Vini wearing at the 2026 World Cup?
The Mercurial Vapor 17 in the bright pink Breakout pack, the boot Nike has put on its whole roster this summer, with Vini later on switching to the Scorpion Pack during the knockout stage.
What is the difference between the Vapor 17 and the Superfly 11?
They are both part of Mercurial speed family split. The Vapor 17 generally has a minimalist build, while the Superfly 11 has a technological leaning. For 2026 Nike separated them into distinct boots again.
What does VINI FLY VINI VOA mean?
VOA means “fly” in Portuguese, so the slogan reads “Vini Fly, Vini Fly”. It sits on the heel of his signature boots alongside his VJR logo, part of the Brazilian identity built into his designs.
Are the Nike Vapor boots good for narrow or wide feet?
The Vapor leans narrow but is more forgiving than older Mercurials. Wide feet are better accommodated than before; narrow feet can tighten the fit with a runner’s loop lacing and a pair of grip socks.
Has Vini always worn Nike?
Yes. He started in the Nike Hypervenom Phantom, then moved to the low-cut Mercurial Vapor at Real Madrid, and recommitted to Nike after resolving a contract matter in 2023.
More boot stories
Mbappe’s Boots
His Real Madrid teammate and the headline name on the Superfly, the Vapor’s other Mercurial half.
Read the story →
Mercurial Vapor
The low-cut speed boot Vini headlines. How it fits and who it actually suits.
Read the review →
Ronaldo’s Boots
The player who made the Mercurial famous, and his own gold World Cup send-off.
Read the story →