First Look At The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Mambacurial”

Kobe Brand’s sphere of influence continues to expand over in Beaverton, and as a lifelong soccer fan, it should come as no surprise that Kobe Bryant shoes are playing a role in Nike’s FIFA World Cup push. 2025 did well to plant the seeds, led by a Kobe 4 Protro “Barcelona” and Nike Phantom 6 mini-capsule featuring the Mamba logo. Next in line is the return of the boot-inspired Nike Kobe 8 “Mambacurial” from 2013, set to arrive in Protro form during this year’s tournament.

As its name suggests, the “Mambacurial” draws inspiration from the iconic Nike Mercurial boot franchise. More specifically, the design traces to the Mercurial Vapor IX in its original “Fireberry/Electric Green” colorway, worn by names like Cristiano Ronaldo and a young Neymar Jr. back in the day. Images of the Protro shared by @prm.cotd show a design consistent with the original, anchored by a vibrant gradient upper, Electric Green Swooshes, and sized-up Nike branding on the medial side. One potential difference worth calling out is the outsole, which appears slightly less saturated than the original’s Electric Green.

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Mambacurial” is due out Fall 2026, likely toward the end of the World Cup in mid-July. Retail is set at $200. See detailed images below and stay tuned for further updates.