Enzo Fernández made a notable equipment change during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup semifinal against England, switching back to a discontinued Brand cleat model from the run that helped define his rise four years ago.
The move stood out because sponsored players usually wear the latest releases from their brands during major tournaments. Fernández instead asked for an older pair tied to Argentina’s Qatar 2022 title run, and he wore them when he scored the tying goal against England.
A special request for a familiar pair
Nicanor Iglesias said the request came directly from Fernández. “It’s a special request Enzo made of me. Of the three pairs he asked for, one is the exact same pair he wore against England,” Iglesias said. He added that the model is “from practically four years ago,” and is no longer manufactured or sold by the brand.
That helped explain why the pair took time to source. Iglesias said it required some effort to get the cleats together, noting that Fernández wanted a model linked to what he achieved in that tournament. The older pair carried both comfort and sentimental value, especially after Argentina’s 2022 success and Fernández’s recognition as the tournament’s best young player.
Why the choice mattered
The decision was unusual not because it broke any on-field rule, but because it went against the standard commercial pattern. Big tournament players are typically expected to wear current products, not discontinued ones from a previous World Cup. Iglesias even said Fernández “broke the rules a little,” before adding, “thank God, I think everything turned out fine.”
For Fernández, the cleats appear to have been more than just a piece of equipment. The return to that pair connected the semifinal stage to the memories of Qatar 2022, when he first used them during Argentina’s victory. It was a small detail, but one that drew attention because it happened in a high-profile setting with the World Cup final still ahead.
Argentina is scheduled to face Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 PM ET.
