Official Look at Nike Kobe 8 Protro Mambacurial in Kids' Sizing

Published June 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM

Quick Facts

Kobe Bryant's soccer-inspired Nike Kobe 8 is returning in Protro form
The Mambacurial colorway was last seen in 2013
A release is expected Fall 2026

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Nike is pulling out all the stops for the World Cup this year. It seems like every section of Nike is celebrating the global game with novel iterations and remixes. Nike Basketball is even getting in on the fun, bringing back Kobe Bryant’s soccer-inspired Kobe 8 Protro Mambacurial just in time for World Cup mania. Kobe, having spent his youth in Italy, had a fondness for the global game.

In fact, Kobe’s entire line owes much of its existence to soccer, as Bryant’s never-ending goal for lighter and lower cut shoes was directly inspired by the players’ unrestricted movement on the pitch. The Nike Kobe 8 Protro Mamabacurial is a direct result of that influence, as it borrowed its colors from the Nike Mercurial Vapor 9 worn by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013.

Can I Kick It?

The colorway, which hasn’t been rereleased since its original drop in 2013, keeps in line with the OG outside of the updated “Protro” specs for modern playability. The breathable mesh upper comes dressed in a shifting pink-to-purple gradient, capped off by a translucent purple heel counter with Kobe’s signature. Accenting the eye-catching shades is a hint of green on the large Swoosh that stretches from the toe to the side panel, the Kobe sheath logo on the tongue, and a translucent outsole. Large Nike branding dominates the medial side of the silhouette in the same way Bryant dominated the court.

Nike Kobe 8 Protro Mambacurial Release Info

The Nike Kobe Protro 8 Mambacurial is set to release in Fall 2026 via Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s, GS, and PS sizing, the retail price is set at $200 (men), $122 (GS), and $112 (PS). For the latest Nike basketball news, including Nike Kobe release details and info, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.