Once the athletes were selected, we flew out to meet them—spending time listening to their stories to help shape a deeply personal narrative for each pair of boots. Every athlete had a story that was entirely their own. For Robert Lewandowski, whose career nearly ended before it began due to a devastating injury, we designed a boot inspired by the phoenix—symbolizing his rebirth—layered with personal mementos that fueled his recovery. Raheem Sterling grew up in the shadow of Wembley Stadium. His boot tells the story of a local kid who rose from humble beginnings to wearing the England kit on the very pitch he once dreamed about. Paul Pogba has never forgotten his roots. He’s deeply committed to the community he came from and still surrounds himself with lifelong friends. His design incorporates literal callouts to those people and places—etched directly into the boots. Thiago Silva and David Luiz have shared the pitch as teammates for both club and country. They see each other as reflections of powerful, mythical animals. We created a dual design—two boots, each featuring a unique creature that blends together at the heel, just like their partnership on the defensive line.