In Europe, excellent soccer teams are created at elite training academies. In Latin America, some of the greatest players are bred in the streets. For us Latinos, soccer (or fútbol) more often than not starts not on a blanket of lush green vegetation, but on split concrete. These impromptu and unsophisticated competitions are where swag and skill matter most. The game becomes a way of life, a fight for reputation.
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Ahead of Copa America 2015, Nike has launched a new series of short films and photography that celebrate this original playing technique. They will travel to four capital cities: Mexico City, Río de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Santiago. Fans will get a closer look at and better understanding of how small-sided teams continue to influence soccer in Latin America.
Nike’s new Football X collection is also inspired by this small-sided culture. It includes a shoe called the Magista X, which features Lunarlon midsole cushions – ideal for hard surfaces with design elements unique to small-sided football. How cool is that?
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To learn more about the series as it opens in Mexico City, visit Nike.com.