Why do some football players cut the heel of their shoes?

During this year World CupOne strange photo caught the attention of fans and commentators: Portuguese striker Pedro Neto played a match with the back of his boot cut off just above the heel. It wasn’t an accident. The modification was intended to relieve pressure on a particularly sensitive area of ​​his foot.

Although the image has spread widely, it is not new. For years, some professional soccer players have adjusted their cleats in the same way to reduce friction between shoes shoes And heels. In a sport where cleats are fitted to a millimeter and every race requires sudden changes in direction, any discomfort in the heel can affect a player’s comfort, and thus his performance on the field.

The causes of discomfort in the heel area are varied. They range from simple, such as friction and blisters, to pain caused by training and exertion, such as tendonitis, to chronic conditions such as bone deformities that simply cause a person to have a “bigger heel” than others.

Among the most common explanations for heel discomfort during this year’s World Cup is Haglund syndrome. According to American Academy of Orthopedic SurgeonsThis condition is a bony growth or protrusion on the back of the heel bone that can rub against the Achilles tendon and cause pain and inflammation. Although it’s technically a “deformity,” the symptoms associated with it — such as insertional tendinopathy and discomfort when wearing closed shoes — make it a condition or syndrome.

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms or pain. The first strategy is to modify shoes. It is recommended to wear padded shoes and avoid tight shoes, such as those used in sports, as well as use protective heel pads. Since soccer cleats are required by regulations, they cannot be replaced, but can be modified. It’s a “loophole” similar to this one Pieces of soccer socks.

The syndrome gained attention after Portugal’s match against 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 change his cleats for that match. There is also no statement from Neto or his team confirming the diagnosis of Haglund syndrome.

In professional soccer, there is no one-size-fits-all soccer cleat. Although the models used in the World Cup are the same as those available on the market, players customize them to fit the shape of their feet or to alleviate some discomforts. The football boot that made headlines for its cut-out heel is the Nike Mercurial Vapor 16 Elite.

This article originally appeared on WIRED in Spanish It was translated from Spanish.