Nike Football Revisits R9's Mercurial Vapor 3 "Brazil" from 2006

Expectations are high for whatever Nike, Inc. has planned for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ given that part of the tournament is in its backyard. And while the Oregon-based company has yet to reveal all of its plans for the event, it continues to take trips down memory lane to commemorate some of its best moments with the sport. Up next, the brand revisits Ronaldo Nazário's Brazil-inspired Mercurial Vapor 3 boots from 2006.

Part of an on-going RGN (read: re-gen) Series that modernizes performance product from yesteryear, the yellow-and-green retro coincides with the almost-20th anniversary of the beloved football boots. Reported by Footy Headlines, the pair is expected to return in a build faithful to the original, although the remake utilizes the same sole plate as the current Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite FG to ensure the silhouette can perform in the modern game.

What's particularly special about the Brazil-inspired boots is that they were the ones Nazário wore during his final World Cup™ appearance. His squad was eliminated by France in the Semi-Finals. In the lead up to the match, however, the Brazilian striker has become the tournament's all-time record goal scorer with 15 goals in 19 matches.

Pairs of R9's yellow-and-green Mercurial Vapor 3 are expected to release via Nike.com before December arrives. The retro football boots should be priced at $300.

For more news related to "the beautiful game," check out Adidas Trionda, the Official Match Ball of the 2026 World Cup™.