One of Nikes most recognizable soccer boots throughout the years, the Mercurial R9 from 1998, receives a lifestyle makeover in 2016 with the introduction of the Air Max Mercurial R9. This new off-the-field rendition of the shoe retains the signature wavy lines of the original soccer model, but thats about the only similarity the two models share. The Air Max version gets updated with a Hyperfuse mesh upper and Air Max cushioned foam sole unit.