Amid the dominance of pink boots launched by major companies during the World Cup, French player Michael Olise of Bayern Munich appeared in an old white boot that he refuses to give up, even if it costs him lucrative sponsorship deals worth millions of dollars, according to Front Office Sports.

A Boot Out of Time

Olise has insisted on wearing the Nike Hypervenom III boot since his days with English club Reading. Released between 2017 and 2019, Nike later discontinued the model, making it extremely difficult to find new pairs.

Due to the boot’s scarcity, the player relies on people searching resale platforms for unworn pairs, which are then sent to a specialized workshop in Edinburgh, Scotland, to be modified and prepared to his on-field needs.

A Workshop That Makes a Difference

The workshop belongs to 34-year-old Scottish craftsman Ryan Park, who started his business during the COVID-19 pandemic by buying used boots, refurbishing them, and reselling to football enthusiasts and collectors.

His work quickly spread via the Instagram account 'Boots n Pieces', leading to requests from professional players in Scotland and England.

Park specializes in repairing and customizing boots, as well as converting firm-ground studs to metal studs suitable for wet and soft pitches—the most requested service among professionals. He can complete the conversion in about 20 minutes for around 60 British pounds, while more complex modifications cost more.

Many players prefer modified boots because they offer greater flexibility and comfort compared to directly manufactured metal-studded boots, which are usually heavier and thicker in the sole area.

From a Small Room to the Stars

As his business grew, Park left his job in financial services and moved his project from a small room in his house to a garden shed, before establishing a workshop on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Recommendations from players in dressing rooms also became his main avenue to reach more stars.

During the World Cup, Park modified boots for dozens of players, including German defender Antonio Rüdiger, who requested stud conversion for his Under Armour boots, and Englishman Morgan Rogers, who had a custom 'MR' logo added to his Puma boots.

Millions Don't Change Conviction

Although top football stars can secure annual sponsorship deals worth millions of dollars by committing to one brand’s boots, Olise has chosen to stay away from such agreements, preferring to keep his customized Hypervenom III boots.

Olise not only sticks to the same model but sometimes requests color modifications to match his team’s jerseys. Park previously converted several of his boots to black to align with Bayern Munich’s Champions League kit.

In a world where giant corporations and sponsorship deals control every detail of football, Olise’s old boots stand out as a striking exception. While releases and colors constantly change, the French star refuses to replace the boots that give him comfort and confidence, even if the price is millions of dollars.