Originally released in 1993, when everyone around the world wanted to be like Mike, the AJ 9 represented the globalization of the Air Jordan brand. Today, the Air Jordan 9 Retro Men’s Shoe honors MJ as an international icon with design details from around the world, along with the superior cushioning and comfort fans have come to expect from signature Jordan shoes. Paying tribute to MJ as a global superstar, inspirational words in various languages are stamped on the sole. Some of Michael’s best traits-including intense, dedicated, graceful and athletic-are imprinted in German, French, Spanish, Swahili, Russian and Italian. Other words such as ‘freedom,’ ‘hope’ and ‘force’ represent the qualities that Jordan has added to the world of sports. A graphic of a rising sun adds a timeless Japanese detail, which is molded into the sole alongside the classic Jumpman logo.