Nike Revives a 2010 Tiempo Classic

You could hear the 2010 World Cup before you saw it. Vuvuzelas through every match, Waka Waka everywhere and the Jabulani flying around like nobody had tested it in a straight line.

Nike's boots were just as loud. Metallic purple, black and Total Orange appeared across Tiempo, Total 90 and Mercurial, giving South Africa one of the most recognisable tournament packs football has seen.

The Tiempo Legend III Elite was a standout. Soft leather, an orange Swoosh and a fold-over tongue that looked brilliant in the spotlight. Sixteen years later, Nike has gone back for it.

The colour returns on the Tiempo Ligera Pro Tongue FG, Tiempo Ligera Pro TF and StreetGato PRM. Three football shoes, three surfaces and one very good excuse to talk about 2010 again.

The Tiempo Everyone Will Want

The Tiempo Ligera Pro Tongue FG carries the strongest link to the original.

The lilac and orange colours get it close, but the fold-over tongue makes the release. Modern boots have spent years removing anything considered unnecessary. This one brings material back over the laces and immediately has more character for it.

Underneath, this remains a modern Ligera. Nike's TechLeather upper is made to give players a soft, slightly cushioned touch while absorbing less water and holding its shape more consistently than natural leather.

It suits players who want more substance through the ball than a thin speed boot provides. Passes feel softer, touches feel calmer and the boot has enough padding to take the edge off firm contact.

The tongue will divide opinion. Some players will see a proper Tiempo. Others will see extra material. That is part of the appeal.

The Pair Built for Most Weeknights

The Tiempo Ligera Pro TF takes the same look onto short artificial turf and harder small-sided pitches.

It may lack the fold-over tongue drama, but it will probably see the most football. The lower rubber outsole makes far more sense for five-a-side, training and regular sessions on turf than wearing an FG plate where it does not belong.

The colourway should look even better under cage lights. Purple upper, orange Swoosh, next goal wins despite nobody remembering the score.

StreetGato Joins In

The StreetGato PRM completes the release for indoor courts, cages and flat hard surfaces.

It has a lower shape and flat outsole, but this is still a football shoe first. It is built for close control, sharp turns and games where space disappears quickly.

The colours connect it neatly to Nike's 2010 archive without forcing the StreetGato to pretend it is a Tiempo. It gets the same palette, then carries on doing its own job.

A World Cup Colour Worth Bringing Back

South Africa 2010 gave football plenty to remember. Spain won their first World Cup through Andres Iniesta's extra-time finish, Diego Forlan made long-range shooting look sensible and Thomas Muller arrived as a 20-year-old before leaving with the Golden Boot.

Nike's purple and orange pack became part of that memory.

This return keeps things simple. The Tiempo Ligera Pro Tongue FG is the closest tribute to the original. The TF is built for artificial turf and five-a-side. The StreetGato handles indoor and cage football.

No complicated remake story. Just a great World Cup colourway, a fold-over tongue and three pairs made to be played in.

Dropping July 30th at Pro:Direct Soccer, Shop all football boots while you wait.