Nike is pulling from one of its deepest football archives with the Cryoshot Mercurial Vapor R9, a lifestyle interpretation of the Mercurial R9 boot that Ronaldo Nazário wore during the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. That original cleat carried real cultural weight, arriving before the Mercurial line had fully established itself and helping put Nike Football on the map through one of the most electric performances in World Cup history.
The Cryoshot build takes the R9's silhouette out of match-day territory and repositions it for everyday wear, fitting into Nike's broader push to bring soccer heritage into the lifestyle footwear space. This particular colorway lands in "Varsity Royal/Metallic Silver-Black-Varsity Maize," a palette that echoes the bold, speed-forward aesthetic of the original boot rather than leaning on a generic football theme. The Metallic Silver and Varsity Maize accents give the upper a sharp, archival finish that grounds the design in its source material.
The Nike Cryoshot Mercurial Vapor R9 "Varsity Royal" is set to release during the 2026 FIFA World Cup for a retail price of $200 via Nike and select retailers. To stay informed on all things Nike and to stay up to date with the latest releases, connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.