Global sports brand PUMA has launched a special collection of clothing and soccer cleats in collaboration with the “Instituto Neymar Jr.”. This community centre was founded by Neymar Jr. to support disadvantaged young people in the Praia Grande neighbourhood near Santos, where the famous Brazilian footballer comes from.
PUMA approached the children of the Institute to come up with the graphic design of a new collection inspired by the Brazilian idol. They wanted to thank Neymar Jr. for continuing to work with the community that shaped his childhood.
The children were asked to draw what “Neymar Jr. means to them” and how he inspires them. For the final design of the FUTURE INJR cleats, PUMA chose a combination of different graphics created by the children.
It took 18 months from the first design to the final launch of the series. The names of the children’s artists are featured on the insoles of the shoes and on the T-shirts of the collection. The children featured in the campaign are therefore also the authors of the winning designs.
“The Instituto Neymar Jr. organization is a matter of the heart for me. Since 2014, we have been supporting underprivileged children and their families through sports, education and healthcare. In this way, we help shape their future. We have reached more than 10,000 people, and I am very proud of that. I also have alot of respect for the team behind the whole project,” says Neymar Jr.
“Having the opportunity to work with the children on the new collection was a wonderful moment for me and I hope that the children will cheer for me all the more when I step onto the pitch in the cleats they designed for me,” he adds.
The FUTURE INJR cleats themselves are designed with a customizable FUZIONFIT360 upper that combines double mesh, stretch knit and PWRTAPE technology. The snug and supportive fit ensures that the foot is truly anchored in the shoe, so you can play with or without laces.
Developed 3D textures in key contact zones are optimised to improve grip and ball control, while the Dynamic Motion System dual density outsole increases stability, agility and traction.
With the environment in mind, FUTURE INJR cleats are made from a minimum of 20% recycled materials.
The Instituto Neymar Jr. collection includes training tops, pants, training jerseys, shorts, hoodies, cotton t-shirts, backpacks, baseball caps, shin guards and soccer balls for kids and adults, all designed by the kids of the Instituto Neymar Jr. organization.
Select products from this collection will be available in Sportfotball, 11Teamsport, AD Sport and puma.com stores and e-shops.