Two of Nike's flagship goalkeepers appear to be moving away from the brand…
Loyalty is something becoming increasingly rare in football, and long gone are the days where goalkeepers were sticking with one glove brand from career start to finish.
In recent weeks, two of the world's best goalkeepers have been spotted wearing different gloves in pre-season training and fixtures.
In Thibaut Courtois, one of the world's best between the sticks has also been one of the world's last elite Nike goalkeepers.
In photos recently captured of Courtois in training during pre-season, the Belgian giant was spotted wearing a pair of what looked to be a pair of ELITE SPORT gloves. More specifically, the Elite R II Combi.
After speaking to several goalkeeper glove experts who have worked with and for the world’s biggest goalkeeping brands, Goalkeeper.com understands that Nike’s strategic direction is intentionally heading away from the goalposts. In recent seasons, the brand has lost a plethora of top level ambassadors. Thibaut Courtois, Alisson Becker, and Robert Sanchez were the remaining high profile trio after Ederson and Jordan Pickford left for Puma.
It seems that Courtois isn't the only goalkeeper who may be moving away from Nike. Liverpool number one Alisson Becker was recently pictured taping over the Nike tick on his gloves and boots, though he was still wearing his favoured Vapour Grip 3 model.
Despite their apparent move away from the goalkeeper market, the new Atomic Orange colourway has been released in recent weeks. It is being sported by Australia's Mackenzie Arnold at the Women's World Cup.
Rumours have circulated that indicate Alisson may be coming towards the end of his Nike deal, but these are unconfirmed at this time. He was most recently picturing warming up in another blackout pair, this time rumoured to be a pair of Reusch gloves - potentially their Legacy Blackout model.
