Why Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't like playing in black boots

Confidence isn't something Cristiano Ronaldo lacks, but apparently he gets even more of it from his boots.

The Real Madrid ace plays a major role in the design of his boots, and it's been revealed that there is more to it than just style for the Ballon d'Or winner.

The global vice-president for Nike Football Footwear, Max Blau, has told why the Portuguese superstar steers clear of black boots where possible.

"I think he's amazing, but he's the first to say 'I can improve'. He says he can get better and will do his part, but he needs us to do ours too," global vice-president for Nike Football Footwear Max Blau told Goal.com.

"That puts a lot of pressure on us. We have to come up with something to help him. That's how we came up with the new Mercurial Superfly [the boots Ronaldo currently wears].

"Every player has their favourite colour, and it's been scientifically proven that the colour of the boots activates chemicals in the player's mind."

Confidence is the main influencer in the boot to performance formula, claims Blau.

He said: "When you feel better, you play better. The main reason of the colour is to give confidence. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't like to wear black boots because he says black looks slow and he wants to feel fast."