A few players featuring in the Champions League mini-tournament in Lisbon were given a special speed boost due to new carbon-fibre boots developed by Adidas.
Set to initially be released for the 2020/21 campaign, players such as Angel Di Maria and Serge Gnabry were able to wear the new boots in August due to the Champions League being postponed from the end of the previous season.
The Adidas X Ghosted were created after running spikes were deconstructed, allowing for extra lightweight and aerodynamic running.
“What we have done is deconstruct that sprint spike and that sprint spike knowledge and completely rebuilt it in the context of football and its specific movements,” Adidas Senior Product Manager Philipp Hagel told The Associated Press.
Fast is too slow.
— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) August 5, 2020
Introducing the all-new #XGhosted, powered by a carbon fibre forefoot plate innovation and a unique translucent upper, designed for next-level speed.
Coming soon. 👀 pic.twitter.com/5wsLJSsj49
“What we did here is not just slam carbon fibre in. We put in a specifically engineered, tunable carbon-fibre piece.”
The legality of such footwear has previously been called into question, particularly in athletics, as the wearer receives an edge when it comes to impact on the ankle, which is reduced.
However, Adidas have defended the new X Ghosted boots, saying everything is in line with regulations.
“I’ve got a lot of friends and colleagues who are working in running,” Dave Surace, the Adidas senior director of football footwear, told the AP.
“The legality and the loopholes of that has been tricky I think for everyone involved.”
Ángel di María 
Serge Gnabry 
PSG 
Bayern 
