Marcus Rashford's Iconic 1/1 Nike Mercurial Superfly 7 Elite Boots: A Monumental Piece of Football History - Match-Worn in the 2020/21 Season for Manchester United & England

Few items in the world of football memorabilia carry the cultural significance, athletic heritage, and emotional impact that these Marcus Rashford match-worn Nike Mercurial Superfly7 Elite Special Edition boots represent. This is not just a pair of football boots. This is a 1-of-1, museum-level artefact, hand-crafted in Italy, and custom-made for one of England’s most important footballers both on and off the pitch.

These Nike Mercurial Superfly 7 Elite ‘I Am The Future Of…’ boots are steeped in history. Heavily worn by Rashford during the 2020/21 season for both club & country, at the peak of his career, this pair were used in an astonishing 19 competitive matches across multiple elite competitions, including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Nations League.

But what sets them apart is more than just match usage—these boots tell a story of social activism, personal growth, youth empowerment, and elite athletic performance.

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A Boot Designed for More Than Just Football

Created in partnership with Nike and Marcus Rashford, the ‘I Am The Future Of…’ campaign was launched to celebrate Black History Month and, crucially, to honour Rashford’s MBE award for his inspirational work campaigning for free school meals for underprivileged children across the UK during the school holidays, in his campaign against child poverty. Stepping up when the nation's political leaders didn't.

Rather than simply putting his name on a boot, Rashford turned it into a canvas for the voices of those he sought to represent. Each boot features messages from 40 school children, written as responses to the phrase “I am the future of…”. These were not random slogans, but powerful affirmations from the next generation — giving a voice to those rarely heard on a global stage, debuted on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium during England's clash with Belgium in the UEFA Nations League A fixture on 11th October 2020, England went on to win 2-1 with Rashford getting on the scoresheet wearing this very pair of boots. It would be the first of many goals he went on to score in this pair with Rashford being at the very peak of his powers.

Rashford himself explained:

“This project was an opportunity for me to give millions of children in the UK a platform to share their voice and inspire the next generation. If I hadn’t experienced what I experienced as a child, I couldn’t stand here today as a voice for change. I wanted to carry their voice with me, standing in Wembley Stadium with their messages written across my boots.”

The 40 children were selected from three schools where a large portion of kids receive free school meals, including Button Lane in Wythenshawe - Rashford's own primary school.

A year 5 teacher from Brunswick Primary school, one of the other two selected schools, said: “I’m massively proud – to say that only three schools were chosen, one of which he went to as a child, is a massive thing especially as his campaign has directly impacted a lot of children at this school and in the community. The ones that were involved were really excited and were searching for their word on the boot. The reaction from the parents has been great as well." Brunswick School was brought to the attention of Marcus Rashford as a result of a project on inspirational people which the children of key workers took part in during lockdown. Words such as ‘a generation’, ‘the three lions’, and ‘England football’ were among the contributions from Brunswick pupils.

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Crafted to Perfection – Custom Made in Italy

This pair were custom built, by hand, to Rashford’s exact specifications inside Nike’s elite Athlete Services factory located in Montebelluna, Italy – the holy grail of professional athlete's bespoke sportswear manufacturing. The boots are measured to be approximately UK 9 / US 10, although no internal size labels are present — typical of elite-level player-issue equipment. Due to their bespoke nature, the shape of this pair are like no other, with them having been made around an exact last (mould) of Rashford's feet, incorporating all special orthopaedic requirements within them.

This pair feature an FG soleplate, which is more often than not, Rashford's preferred sole of choice when entering the pitch, whether it be on a match-day or a training session, he is a player whom likes to keep his selection consistent. With the quality of the pitches at the very elite level in which the likes of Manchester United & the England national team play on, choosing between FG (moulded studs for firm ground) and SG (metal studs for soft ground) is more of a choice of preference rather than requirement, unlike for the average player having to contend with boggy, muddy pitches, where FG moulded studs are not much of an option. With this pair seen here having been worn in a staggering 19 fixtures in the very elite competitions, the FG soles present fantastic signs of wear with even some pitch markings & grass still present from the last time in which Rashford wore this pair, in the Premier League fixture which resulted in a 0-0 draw between Leeds United & Manchester United, played at Elland Road on 21st April 2021. The wear is so extensive, that a stud even snapped off on the medial side of the sole on the left boot. When it comes to match-worn, this is a dream for collectors.

A personal customisation in which Nike make to all of Marcus Rashfords match & training boots is the addition of extra padding fitted inside the left boot to the lateral side, which runs all along the interior of that side of the boot. This is an ever present customisation in which Nike make to Rashford's boots since early 2020 through to the present day, which is there to protect his foot from a previous injury. We have seen a similar style customisation which Adidas made to all of Steven Gerrard's Adidas predator boots for a duration of his career from 2007 through until 2011, which was the addition of a metal plate in this area. The big brands do go to every length for their elite level sponsored athletes to ensure that they have every requirement possible met.

In the absence of internal size labels, due to the bespoke nature of the boots, the craftsmen inside Nike's Athlete Services factory instead write a number inside each boot in the heel area of the insole board. This number/code refers to the player's foot last, or mould, inside the Montebelluna factory. With the boots being fully custom made for the player, they aren't an 'exact' size so to speak, so inserting size labels like what we find on commercial versions wouldn't be applicable here, as those mass-produced pairs are made around generic foot moulds, as opposed to those of specific individual's.

And in a nod to both his roots and personal values, the boots are predominantly black, symbolising the Manchester United Academy’s rule that youth players must only wear black boots — a subtle yet powerful tribute to his journey from humble beginnings, a route against all odds.

On the laces sits one final personal touch: an inspirational quote from Muhammad Ali, one of Rashford’s childhood idols:

“Recognise how every moment of our journey is an important part of the growth of our soul.”

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A Season of Milestones – 19 Matches, 14 Goal Contributions

These boots were worn across a jaw-dropping 19 matches between October 2020 and the end of the season, making them one of the most heavily used match-worn pairs ever available on the open market — and yet still in excellent, fully photo-matched condition. It really doesn't come more match-worn than this piece.

Premier League Appearances – 10 Matches, 6 G/A

Rashford used this pair in 10 English top-flight fixtures during the 2020/21 campaign, contributing to 6 goals/assists, including:

The 1-4 win against Newcastle United played on 17th October 2020 at ST. James' Park (scoring 1 goal & making 2 assists), the 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on 24th October, the 0-1 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford on 1st November, United's 1-3 win over Everton at Goodison Park on 7th November (1 assist), the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on 21st November, the 2-3 win over Southampton played at St. Mary's Stadium on 29th November (1 assist), United's 1-3 away win against West Ham United played on 5th December at the London Stadium (1 goal) & the 0-0 draw in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford against City on 12th December.

 Later on in the season towards the end of the campaign, Rashford began to again lace up in this pair, further displaying his love and affection for them. After a 3-month absence from the pitch, this pair stepped back onto the hallowed turf of Old Trafford in the 1-0 home win against West Ham United played on 13th March 2021 & for the final time in the 0-0 draw at Elland Road against Leeds United on 24th April 2021. The above photo-match is from that very match against Leeds, where we can see that snapped stud in which we mentioned further up in this blog, as well as specific wear & tear markings to the upper from extensive match use.

The 6 Premier League G/A achieved across the 10 matches in this pair contributed to his total of 24 G/A in 37 Premier League appearances during the 2020/21 season. Clinical.

UEFA Champions League – 6 Matches, 7 G/A

This pair will be eternally iconic for one reason alone — Rashford’s first career hat-trick was scored while wearing them during United’s 5-0 demolition of RB Leipzig on 28th October 2020.

Other Champions League highlights:

The 1-2 away win against PSG at the Parc des Princes on 20th October 2020 in which Rashford scored 1 goal, which was that iconic 90th minute winner, the 2-1 loss against Başakşehir on 4th November at the Başakşehir Fatih Terim stadium, the 4-1 win against Başakşehir played at Old Trafford on 24th November (1 goal), the 1-3 home defeat to PSG played on 2nd December (1 goal) & the 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig  played at the Red Bull Arena on 8th December (1 assist)

We can also see above the hand written number '10', Rashy's squad number, written by the Manchester United kit staff in order to avoid any confession within the kit room as to who's boots they are, in the absence of his usual 'RASHFORD 10' personalisation, which he tends to have on his regular boots. We can also see in the image above the lines of stitching which enable the custom interior padding to be fitted, these are lined up beautifully with the graphic design of the upper, brilliantly displaying the abilities and attention to detail of the Italian craftsmen inside the Montebelluna factory.

 

England National Team – 2 UEFA Nations League Appearances

At Wembley Stadium, Rashford wore this pair in both matches during the October international break in the UEFA Nations League A:

• 11th October 2020 vs Belgium – Scored a goal in the 2-1 victory.

• 14th October 2020 vs Denmark.

UEFA Europa League

In the Round of 16 second leg clash against AC Milan on 18 March 2021, Rashford once again returned to these boots to help United secure a crucial 0-1 win at the San Siro on the route to the Final.

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Wear, Tear, and Photo-Matching: The Gold Standard of Authenticity

This pair have exceptional provenance, having been:

• Perfectly photo-matched to multiple in-game, close-up shots of Rashford wearing them on the pitch.

• Identified via unique wear patterns, snapped stud, lace tips and kitmen handwritten details.

• Covered in visible pitch markings and residual grass from match play.

• Authenticated with the BC Boots UK Certification Package — guaranteeing full traceability and legitimacy with official certification and verification.

For seasoned collectors, the ability to link a boot not just to a player — but to specific iconic moments — is essential. This pair delivers exactly that, and more.

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A Once-in-a-Lifetime Collectible

This is more than just match-worn memorabilia. It is a one-of-one creation that captures the essence of Marcus Rashford’s footballing genius, his humanitarian efforts, and his personal journey. Through every customised detail, even down to the custom insoles which originally beared the 'I am the future of...' branding which has mostly worn away due to that extensive match use, perfectly blends the match-worn condition with the story behind the boots and exactly what they represent.

It encapsulates a season where Rashford:

• Scored a hat-trick

• Delivered last-minute Champions League winners

• Led Manchester United and England from the front

• Stood up for millions of underprivileged children

A boot like this simply does not exist on the commercial market. It was never sold to the public, and it never will be. Nike created this pair for Rashford, and Rashford alone — a true celebration of everything he represents. With every goal scored, every assist created, every blade of grass covered, this piece represents what Rashford stands & fights for, as well as his incredible abilities on the pitch.

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Why This Piece Belongs in an Elite, Museum-Level Collection

With demand for match-worn memorabilia from elite footballers at an all-time high, and Rashford’s legacy as both a footballer and humanitarian continuing to grow, this pair represents an investment-grade acquisition for collectors, institutions and football museums. There is only one, and there will only ever be, one.

This isn’t just memorabilia — it’s a piece of modern football history.

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A 1/1 icon. A statement piece. A relic of a player who changed both football and the world around it.

 

Click here to view the product page in order to make an enquiry with our team to acquire this piece for your collection.

 

Own a piece of history today.