The Air Max-ification of Nike's Legendary Soccer Shoe

Double Tap to ZoomSneakersNike's Air Max Joga Bonito "Neon" Is Almost Too GoodWhat happens when an iconic football boot meets an equally famous Air Max model? The Nike Air Max Joga Bonito is born.Nike basically mashed the Mercurial R9 cleats and the Air Max 95 together to get the Joga Bonito. But this Swoosh soccer crossover hits different, as it references the 2006 Nike "Joga Bonito" commercial which starred soccer greats like Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ronaldo Nazário. It's easily one of the best soccer ads ever. Depending on who you ask, some might even call it the greatest of all time.The name "joga bonito" means "play beautifully" in Portuguese, which is very fitting for the Air Max model. It's admittedly more street-ready than game-ready, but it is quite nice-looking.Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this YouTube video.It features crisp wavy uppers like the Mercurial model, topped with Nike's unmistakable Swoosh logo. Meanwhile, underfoot, it has the Air Max 95's thick Air-cushioned soles.Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.That's not the only thing it borrows from the classic Air Max sneaker, either. For the latest drop, the Air Max Joga Bonito slips into the classic "Neon" outfit, one of the Air Max 95's original colorways, which several Nike models have temporarily donned over the years.Priced at $180, the "Neon" Air Max Joga Bonito sneaker is scheduled to release on Nike's SNKRS app on August 1.It's another nice soccer crossover for the Swoosh collection, which includes Tiempo-style Cortez sneakers and Total 90s with Shox tech. Seriously, no one does crazy-clean soccer hybrids quite like Nike.Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit HS Shopping for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.We RecommendThis Is the Nike Moon Shoe’s Effortlessly Cool SisterNike’s Pretty Winged Sneaker Is the Flyest of Them AllNike's Milky White Air Rift Stands Two Toes DownThis Chocolatey Baller Is Nike's Love Letter to the Golden YearsNike's Chocolate Shox Sneaker Has Never Looked This Classy. ReallyWhat To Read NextWhat Does Marni’s Former Creative Director See in GU? “I Am So Curious to Learn”This Is the Nike Moon Shoe’s Effortlessly Cool SisterThe Beautiful Game Turns Dinner into a Must-See MomentNike’s Pretty Winged Sneaker Is the Flyest of Them AllBerlin's Coolest Creatives Have a New Way to Actually ConnectState of the Art: Bottega Veneta Can't Quit This Incredibly Stylish Art Collector