Two of the Champions League final's key players will each be wearing a pair of revolutionary new football boots made of carbon fibre.

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Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea's Didier Drogba will be wearing Nike's new Mercurial SL in the showpiece event at the Luzhniki Stadium, a boot that has been in development - according to the sports equipment manufacturer - for three years.

Chosen for its lightness and strength, the carbon fibre material means that the boots weigh just 180 grams each, but remain both flexible and durable.

The boot has been developed "in the style of a concept car: to lead innovation, to drive new ideas, to push the boundaries in design", according to a Nike statement.

Ronaldo said: "Speed and acceleration are essential to my game; one second can be the difference between winning or losing the Champions League Final. This Mercurial SL boot is designed to provide the next level of speed."

Drogba said: "It is like nothing I have ever seen before and I'm very excited to be one of the first players to wear this boot in the Champions League Final."

Much like a concept car, the Mercurial SL has not been developed with retail in mind, although the Oregon-based manufacturers are set to face high demand for the boot following its debut at one of the most-viewed sporting events in the world.