During this year During the World Cup, a very peculiar image caught the attention of fans and commentators: Portuguese striker Pedro Neto played the match with the back of his shoes cut off, just above his heel. It wasn’t an accident. The modification was intended to relieve pressure on a particularly sensitive area of the foot.
Although the photo has gone viral, it is not modern. For years, some professional soccer players have modified their cleats in the same way to reduce friction between the shoes shoe and heel. In a sport where cleats fit down to the millimeter and every sprint requires a sudden change of direction, any discomfort in the heel can affect a player’s comfort and, consequently, his performance on the pitch.
The causes of discomfort in the heel area are different. These range from basic conditions such as abrasions and blisters, to soreness caused by training and exercise, such as tendonitis, to chronic conditions such as bone deformities that simply cause someone to have a “bigger heel” than others.
Haglund’s syndrome is one of the most frequently cited explanations for heel discomfort during this year’s World Cup competition. According to American Academy of Orthopedic SurgeonsThis condition is a bony growth or bulge on the back of the heel bone that can rub against the Achilles tendon and cause pain and inflammation. Although it is technically a “deformity,” the symptoms associated with it – such as implantable tendinopathy and discomfort when wearing closed-toe shoes – make it a condition or syndrome.
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms or pain. The first strategy is to modify your footwear. It is recommended to wear cushioned footwear, avoid tight shoes, e.g. those used during sports, and employ heel protectors. As football boots are required by regulation, they cannot be replaced, but they can be modified. This is a “gap” similar to the one regarding the cut of football socks.
The syndrome was noticed after the match between Portugal and Spain. Player Pedro Neto wore two pairs of cleats with part of the heel cut off. There is no public information explaining why the striker decided to modify his boots for this match. There is also no statement from Neto and his team confirming the diagnosis of Haglund’s syndrome.
There are no universal football boots in professional football. Although the models used in the World Cup are the same as those available on the market, players adjust them to the shape of their feet or alleviate specific ailments. The football boot that made headlines for its cut-off heel was the Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite.
This article originally appeared on WIRED in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.