The best Nike gifts for footballers

The best gifts are meaningful and useful—and when the recipient is a footballer, Nike has options that share both qualities. Here are some ideas for the best Nike football gifts for the football player (or fan) in your life, for use on or off the pitch.

Match shirts are made to be worn on the pitch, with the same level of innovation and premium feel as pro shirts. Whether your gift recipient wants to tap into a favourite footballer's energy in a kickabout game at the park or sport a team's shirt at a match, Nike football kits provide the ultimate way to rep their much-loved teams. They're built for performance too, with sweat-wicking technology that's designed to keep a player cool and dry so they can feel comfortable—while also dreaming about stepping onto the pitch with the pros.

Showing enthusiasm for a favourite team doesn't have to happen only in game settings. That pride can show up any time, thanks to stadium shirts from major teams. Whether your gift recipient is taking in a game, running errands or hanging out with friends, it doesn't matter—these Nike shirts are built for comfort.

In addition to shirts, there are many other ways to show off your fandom for a favourite team. Nike offers an array of hats, sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts, jackets and T-shirts that can be worn on and off the pitch for an extra burst of motivation and team pride. Like all Nike gear, team apparel is designed for comfort and durability.

Match-day performance is built long before kick-off—it begins in training and is developed one session at a time. That's why training apparel is as important as what a footballer wears for a match. Nike offers numerous choices for high-level training gear, from tracksuits that keep a player warm during half-time to shorts with Dri-FIT technology to maximise sweat-wicking abilities.

Part of football's appeal is that it only requires a single piece of equipment to make a match happen: an inflatable ball. But it's important to note that not all footballs are the same. That's why Nike footballs are thoughtfully designed with special grooving and textured casing for better grip, control and flight as they soar into the back of the net. Plus, fused panels create a larger sweet spot that translates into more powerful strikes.

In addition to the categories above, there are other choices for gifts for footballers. Consider options like the Nike Brasilia Duffel, which allows a player to haul up to 95 litres of gear, or Nike gloves and mitts that offer textured areas to ensure hands stay put throughout the game. A Nike football headband—seen on many pro players—provides a snug, anti-slip way to keep sweat and flyaway hairs away from the face. Shinguards and socks are also top picks, providing comfort and protection from training to match day.

Although football boots are usually chosen based on individual preferences—like whether you're playing on artificial grass, turf or multi-ground environments—as well as sizing, they make a great gift if you have that info handy. Nike offers football boots for all kinds of surfaces in a variety of colours and designs. For example, the Nike Phantom line provides high levels of precision and accuracy for drives, passes and shots. Nike Mercurial football boots are built for speed and ball control, with lightweight construction and a grippy surface texture. Nike Tiempo football boots offer amplified touch zones for shooting, dribbling and passing, enabling the wearer to control the pace of the game.

Words by Elizabeth Millard