When Nike put on a show, they go all out – they leave no stone unturned, no detail is too small and no national icon is out of reach. So when I received the invite to experience all that ‘#WinnerStaysDXB’ had to offer, on the footsteps of the UAE’s most iconic landmark, ‘The Burj Khalifa’, I jumped at the chance to see what Nike Middle East had in store.
Upon arrival I was greeted by a beastly looking Ford Mustang, cleverly branded with the ‘Risk Everything’ proposition and the first indication that they hadn’t spared any expense in this setup.
Next up was a review of the latest National Team kits to be worn at next month’s World Cup, the latest Nike FC campaign collateral and the brand’s newest piece de resistance the Magista and Mercurial Superfly boots respectively.
BOOM!
Best of all, we would be taking the knitted bad-boys for a spin under the expert guidance of a former FC Barcelona coach. An achievement all unto itself.
I was sceptic though. Sceptic about the boots and the fact my wide foot wouldn’t fit into these fabled beauties; I mean I’ve always been a Tiempo kind of player rather than anything the likes of a Mercurial or God-forbid a “knitted sock-boot”. Thankfully though, my meagre mind allowed me to proceed with the testing and from the moment my heel slid into the back of it, I felt a little tingle in my nethers, my heart skipped a beat and I was in love.
The fit was snug and held my foot firm within it’s grasp. At times I almost forgot I was wearing football boots, let alone dallying past 15 other blokes while we all tried to impress as though we were on trial for FCB. But it wasn’t to last forever and we’d soon have to send the boots back to whence they came.
How would the rest of the night top this experience?
Well it came very close; there were some amazing teams in the knockout tournament to be played shortly after our shenanigans on the pitch and I was backing the local boys from Ahdaaf to go the distance. It wasn’t to be however and the lads of Maysaloon brought home the goods, won themselves a pair of Magista’s each (lucky bastards!) which were presented to them by none other than Fabio ‘El Capitano’ Cannavaro, all while the steps of the Burj Khalifa were sprayed with celebratory fireworks.
A fitting end to a fantastic night and one that will be remembered for some time.
I definitely look forward to seeing what Nike Middle East have planned for the impending World Cup.
In the meantime, check out more images from behind the scenes of Winner Stays DXB:
