Nike Introduces the New CTR360 Maestri II Elite Football Boot


The Nike CTR360 Maestri II Elite is designed for the player looking to master control on the pitch. Controlling the tempo with accurate passing, dictating the pace and creating chances are necessities for the midfield maestro.

CTR360 Maestri II Elite

Both Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC) and Andres Iniesta (Barcelona FC) personify the ultimate control players and both wear the CTR360 Maestri II Elite football boot. Their ability to control tempo and set up their teammates for numerous scoring chances sets them apart. Numbers don’t lie. The below statistical evidence, provided by UK-based Opta who have the world’s most comprehensive historical sports database, show the unique ability of Fabregas and Iniesta to dominate the game through control.

CTR360 Maestri II Elite

CESC FABREGAS: THE MAESTRO

Fabregas combines technical fluidity with the ability to single-handedly dictate match pace. He has provided more assists (16) in his club’s league since the beginning of the 2009/10 season than any other player. Fabregas has created a chance every 24.8 minutes on average, a league-high amongst regular players. Most notably, Fabregas was the most prolific player in terms of creating chances for his teammates in Europe’s top five leagues in season 2009-10, setting up a chance every 29 minutes.

ANDRES INIESTA: THE MAGICIAN

Iniesta showed his game-changing ability this summer in South Africa and it’s no surprise that his passing accuracy and assist ratio are establishing him as one of the world’s best. In Europe’s premier cup competition this season, Iniesta has found a teammate with a superb 90% of his passes. Iniesta has already created a joint-competition-high 16 goal-scoring chances for teammates in his country’s European qualifying matches. Last season in his club league, the gifted schemer posted an incredible 93.7% passing accuracy rate in the middle third of the pitch.

CTR360 Maestri II Elite

With position specifications a top priority, the Nike CTR360 Maestri II Elite has six key elements for the player looking for a premium boot:

– KANGA-LITE UPPER: This synthetic leather provides optimal comfort and fit, despite the weather conditions.
– DAMPENING PODS: These cushion zones on the lateral forefoot give great first touch ball control.
– RECEIVE PAD: Improves instep ball control and makes trapping the ball easier.
– PASS PAD: Leads to precise distribution and placement of passes.
– LACING SYSTEM: The unique asymmetrical lacing design creates an expanded ball control surface.
– CARBON CHASSIS: The plate offers incredible energy return and strength, with bladed studs for optimal traction and stability.

A special code included with each pair of CTR360 Maestri II boots grants players exclusive access to Nike Football+ training content, including insights from the pros, elite training sessions, trial events, player appearances and more.

The Nike CTR360 Maestri II Elite is available at retail globally beginning January 1, 2011 and online at www.NikeStore.com.

The Playmakers

Cesc Fabregas
– Since August 2007, Cesc has 41 assists in his club’s league, nine more than the second highest player.
– Fabregas has averaged 2.26 shots per game and posted a conversion rate of 20.3% (compared to the league average of 14.6%).
– Fabregas averaged 51.5 accurate passes per game, compared to the average in his club’s league of 24.2.
– Fabregas made an average of 2,274 passes per season while the league average was 706 passes.
– In terms of passing accuracy in the three action areas on the pitch, Fabregas’ figures are as follows – 95% accuracy in the defensive third (League average is 92.9%), 87% in the middle third (League average is 82.5%) and 70% in the attacking third (League average is 63.1%).

Andres Iniesta
– Last season in his club league, the gifted schemer posted an incredible 93.7% passing accuracy rate in the middle third of the pitch.
– Iniesta averaged 47.4 accurate passes per game, compared to the average of 26.9 in his club’s league.
– Iniesta registered a passing accuracy rate of 89.06% compared to the league average of 82.51%.
– Iniesta made an average of 2075 passes per season while the league average was 658 passes.
– In terms of passing accuracy in the three action areas on the pitch, Iniesta’s figures are as follows: 95.8% in the defensive third (League average is 93.8%), 94% in the middle third (League average is 85.8%) and 80.9% in the final third (League average is 69.3%).