PUMA and Neymar Jr. Invite You Into the World of FUTURE Z
Originally published: January 11, 2021 | Updated September 24, 2026
PUMA and Neymar Jr. introduced a new chapter in the brand’s football boot story with the launch of the FUTURE Z 1.1, a performance football boot built around fit, agility, touch and the explosive movement of creative playmakers.
The new FUTURE Z was designed for players who rely on quick changes of direction, close control and unpredictable movement. At the centre of the boot is PUMA’s adaptive FUZIONFIT+ compression band, combined with a knitted upper, GripControl Pro technology and a new Dynamic Motion System outsole.
Neymar Jr. was among the headline players selected to wear the new FUTURE Z, alongside other PUMA football stars including James Maddison, Eugénie Le Sommer, Marco Reus and Dzsenifer Marozsán. In South Africa, the launch also featured Mamelodi Sundowns players Themba Zwane and Sphelele Mkhulise.
PUMA FUTURE Z 1.1: Built for Creative Players
PUMA developed the FUTURE Z around the way modern creative footballers move.
Rather than focusing solely on straight-line speed, the boot was engineered around multidirectional movement, agility and control. That made the FUTURE Z particularly suited to attacking players who need to accelerate, stop, turn and change direction quickly.
PUMA described the boot as being created for some of football’s most dynamic and creative playmakers.
The central idea was simple: lock in, create space and attack defenders with confidence.
Neymar Jr. Leads the FUTURE Z Generation
Neymar Jr. was one of the most prominent players associated with the launch of the FUTURE Z.
His playing style made him a natural fit for the boot’s creative positioning. Neymar’s game has historically been built around close control, quick changes of direction, acceleration and individual skill — characteristics that PUMA wanted to highlight through the FUTURE Z.
The Brazilian superstar was joined by a wider group of PUMA athletes wearing the new silhouette.
The launch roster included:
- Neymar Jr.
- James Maddison
- Eugénie Le Sommer
- Marco Reus
- Dzsenifer Marozsán
- Themba Zwane
- Sphelele Mkhulise
That mix of international and South African talent was significant for the local launch story, particularly because Zwane and Mkhulise represented Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Technology Behind the FUTURE Z 1.1
The biggest technical feature of the FUTURE Z 1.1 was its FUZIONFIT+ compression band.
PUMA positioned the technology as the foundation of the boot’s fit and lockdown system.
The compression band sits around the midfoot and is designed to provide a secure, supportive feeling while still allowing the foot to move naturally.
According to PUMA’s product development team, the band uses a combination of polyester, spandex and technical yarns to balance compression, comfort and durability.
The objective was to create what PUMA described as a second-skin sensation.
For a creative player, that fit is particularly important because excessive movement inside the boot can affect confidence when changing direction or controlling the ball.
FUZIONFIT+ Creates the Lock-In Feel
FUZIONFIT+ is arguably the feature that gives the FUTURE Z its identity.
Instead of relying exclusively on conventional lacing to create lockdown, PUMA used an adaptive compression system around the midfoot.
This allows the boot to provide support while maintaining flexibility.
The idea is particularly relevant for players who constantly move across different directions rather than simply sprinting forward.
A winger cutting inside, a midfielder turning away from pressure or a forward making a sudden change of direction all place different demands on a football boot.
PUMA designed the FUTURE Z around those movements.
GripControl Pro for Touch and Control
The FUTURE Z 1.1 also features an innovative knitted upper coated with a thin layer of GripControl Pro.
PUMA designed this combination to enhance contact between the boot and the ball.
For attacking players, ball control can be just as important as speed.
A boot that allows a player to receive, dribble and manipulate the ball confidently becomes part of the overall creative process.
PUMA therefore positioned GripControl Pro as an important part of the FUTURE Z’s touch and control package.
The Dynamic Motion System Outsole
The other major innovation was the Dynamic Motion System outsole.
The outsole features a distinctive Z-shaped soleplate designed around traction and multidirectional movement.
PUMA said the system was developed to reduce weight while maintaining stability and providing 360-degree support around the foot.
The outsole was particularly important to the FUTURE Z’s identity because the boot wasn’t designed simply for running in a straight line.
The objective was to give creative players a stable platform when accelerating, cutting and changing direction.
A Lightweight PEBA Tooling System
PUMA also used lightweight PEBA material in the tooling system.
The company said the material went through extensive testing during development.
PUMA reported that players recorded, on average, 3% faster times in 20-metre agility tests when wearing the FUTURE Z compared with its predecessor. That figure comes from PUMA’s own product-development testing rather than an independent performance study.
The distinction matters because the number represents PUMA’s internal testing claim rather than a guarantee that every player will experience the same performance difference.
Designed Around Changes of Direction
One of the most interesting aspects of the FUTURE Z was its stud configuration.
PUMA worked with medical staff from some of its leading clubs to develop the stud layout, including positioning a middle stud around the pivot point of the boot.
The purpose was to support rapid changes of direction.
This fits directly into the FUTURE Z’s overall philosophy.
The boot was designed for players who don’t necessarily beat opponents through pure pace.
Instead, the player might use a body feint, stop suddenly, change direction or accelerate into a new space.
The outsole needed to support those movements.
FUTURE Z and the Modern Playmaker
Football has changed significantly, and so has the role of the playmaker.
Creative players increasingly operate across multiple areas of the pitch.
A winger may move centrally. A midfielder may carry the ball through pressure. A forward may drop deep before turning and attacking the space behind a defensive line.
That means a modern football boot needs to accommodate more than traditional forward movement.
The FUTURE Z was positioned around this idea of freedom.
Its combination of adaptive fit, grip and multidirectional traction was designed to give players a platform for improvisation.
The GAME.ON. Edition
The first FUTURE Z 1.1 launch centred on the GAME.ON. edition.
The boot arrived in a striking yellow-alert and PUMA Black colourway.
The design was intentionally bold, matching the energetic personality of the players associated with the launch.
Neymar Jr.’s presence also helped reinforce the visual identity of the release, connecting the boot with one of the most recognisable creative footballers of the era.
FUTURE Z Comes to South Africa
The launch had a specific South African connection through Mamelodi Sundowns players Themba Zwane and Sphelele Mkhulise.
Their inclusion demonstrated PUMA’s intention to connect its global football campaigns with players competing in the South African football environment.
For local football fans, that gave the FUTURE Z a more immediate connection than a campaign focused exclusively on international stars.
Zwane, in particular, has long been associated with technical quality and creativity, making his involvement consistent with the positioning of the FUTURE Z.
When Did the PUMA FUTURE Z Launch?
PUMA announced the FUTURE Z 1.1 on January 11, 2021.
The boot was initially made available through pre-sale on PUMA.com and specialist football retailers, with the global release scheduled for January 21, 2021.
The original South African retail information in this article listed an RRP of R3,599, with availability from February 4, 2021 through PUMA.com, PUMA stores, Totalsports and selected retailers.
Because this is a historical 2021 release, that original retail price should not be treated as a current selling price.
PUMA FUTURE Z 1.1 Specifications
| Feature | FUTURE Z 1.1 |
|---|---|
| Brand | PUMA |
| Athlete | Neymar Jr. |
| Boot category | Football |
| Fit technology | FUZIONFIT+ |
| Upper | Knitted material |
| Touch technology | GripControl Pro |
| Outsole | Dynamic Motion System |
| Tooling material | Lightweight PEBA |
| Launch colourway | Yellow Alert / PUMA Black |
| Global release | January 21, 2021 |
| Original South African release | February 4, 2021 |
| Original South African RRP | R3,599 |
Why Neymar Jr. Was the Perfect Face for FUTURE Z
Neymar’s association with the FUTURE Z made sense because the campaign was built around creativity.
The boot wasn’t marketed simply as a speed product.
Its identity was about players who can create something unexpected — players capable of turning a small opening into a scoring opportunity through technique, movement and imagination.
That made Neymar an obvious focal point.
His football identity has consistently been associated with dribbling, skill and improvisation, all of which aligned with the FUTURE Z’s creative positioning.
The FUTURE Z Was More Than a Neymar Boot
Although Neymar was the headline athlete, PUMA’s strategy was broader.
The FUTURE Z was positioned as a complete football boot franchise for creative players rather than a signature Neymar-only product.
That distinction became clearer as the FUTURE line continued to evolve.
Later FUTURE Z releases retained the FUZIONFIT+ and Dynamic Motion System concepts while adding further technological developments. PUMA subsequently introduced models such as the FUTURE Z 1.2 and FUTURE Z 1.3, demonstrating how the original platform became the foundation for further iterations.
The FUTURE Z Legacy
The FUTURE Z 1.1 eventually became part of a broader evolution of PUMA’s FUTURE football franchise.
Later versions introduced refinements to the fit, upper construction and control zones.
PUMA’s subsequent FUTURE models continued to focus on agility and creative movement, while the technology evolved beyond the original FUZIONFIT+ configuration.
That makes the original FUTURE Z 1.1 important as a starting point for understanding how PUMA developed the modern FUTURE boot.
Neymar Jr. and PUMA Continued the FUTURE Story
The relationship between Neymar Jr. and the FUTURE franchise continued beyond the original 1.1 launch.
In 2021, PUMA introduced additional Neymar-focused FUTURE releases, including the Neymar Jr. Creativity Collection, which featured the FUTURE Z 1.1 Creativity alongside apparel and accessories. PUMA described the collection as a celebration of creativity both on the pitch and beyond football.
Later FUTURE generations also continued to feature Neymar.
By 2022, PUMA had evolved the FUTURE Z platform further with the FUTURE Z 1.3, introducing updated FUZIONFIT+ technology and Advanced Creator Zones designed to enhance touch and control.
PUMA FUTURE Z: From 2021 to the Next Generation
Looking back, the FUTURE Z 1.1 represented an important moment in PUMA’s football footwear strategy.
The company took an existing FUTURE identity and pushed it towards a more adaptive and movement-focused design.
The combination of:
- FUZIONFIT+
- GripControl Pro
- Dynamic Motion System
- Lightweight PEBA tooling
- A knitted upper
- Neymar Jr.’s creative identity
gave the FUTURE Z 1.1 a distinct place in PUMA’s football boot lineup.
The boot was built around a simple idea: give creative players the fit, traction and touch they need to play without hesitation.
Final Word
The PUMA FUTURE Z 1.1 was introduced as a football boot for a new generation of creative playmakers, with Neymar Jr. leading a group of high-profile PUMA athletes associated with the launch.
Its most important innovation was the FUZIONFIT+ compression band, while the GripControl Pro upper and Dynamic Motion System outsole completed a package focused on touch, support and multidirectional movement.
In South Africa, the launch also had a local connection through Mamelodi Sundowns stars Themba Zwane and Sphelele Mkhulise.
Although the FUTURE Z 1.1 is now a historical release, its technology and design direction helped establish the foundation for subsequent FUTURE Z generations.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and additional historical context. Original launch pricing and availability refer to the 2021 South African release and may no longer apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PUMA FUTURE Z 1.1?
The PUMA FUTURE Z 1.1 is a football boot launched in 2021 and designed around creative, multidirectional play. It features FUZIONFIT+, GripControl Pro and a Dynamic Motion System outsole.
Was Neymar Jr. wearing the FUTURE Z?
Yes. Neymar Jr. was one of the headline PUMA athletes associated with the FUTURE Z 1.1 launch.
What is FUZIONFIT+?
FUZIONFIT+ is PUMA’s adaptive compression technology designed to provide a secure, supportive fit around the foot while maintaining flexibility.
What is GripControl Pro?
GripControl Pro is a thin coating applied to the upper to help enhance touch and control of the football.
What is the Dynamic Motion System?
The Dynamic Motion System is PUMA’s outsole technology used on the FUTURE Z to provide traction and support for multidirectional movements.
How much did the FUTURE Z 1.1 cost in South Africa?
The original South African retail price listed for the FUTURE Z 1.1 was R3,599.
When did the FUTURE Z 1.1 launch?
PUMA announced the boot on January 11, 2021, with a global release scheduled for January 21, 2021. The original South African launch information listed February 4, 2021.
Who else wore the FUTURE Z?
The launch included players such as James Maddison, Eugénie le Sommer, Marco Reus and Dzsenifer Marozsán, while South African players Themba Zwane and Sphelele Mkhulise were also associated with the launch.
Shop PUMA FUTURE Football Boots
If you’re looking for a newer PUMA FUTURE boot rather than the original FUTURE Z 1.1 from 2021, the PUMA Men’s FUTURE 8 Match is a more recent option to consider.
The FUTURE 8 Match is designed for players looking for a combination of fit, movement and ball control, while its Firm Ground/Artificial Ground (FG/AG) configuration makes it suited to playing surfaces where that stud setup is appropriate.
At the time of writing, the listed price is approximately R1,143.95, although prices and availability can change.
PUMA Men’s FUTURE 8 Match FG/AG Soccer Cleats
- Brand: PUMA
- Model: FUTURE 8 Match
- Type: Football/soccer cleats
- Surface: Firm Ground / Artificial Ground
- Listed rating: 4.4/5
- Reviews: 153
- Listed price: R1,143.95
- Retailer: Amazon
FUTURE Z 1.1 vs FUTURE 8 Match
The FUTURE Z 1.1 featured in the original 2021 story is an earlier generation of PUMA’s FUTURE line, while the FUTURE 8 Match represents a much newer iteration.
If you’re interested in the history of Neymar Jr.’s original FUTURE Z era, the FUTURE Z 1.1 remains the boot discussed throughout this article. If you’re actually shopping for a current PUMA FUTURE boot, however, a newer model such as the FUTURE 8 Match is the more relevant product to investigate.
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