Kylian Mbappé has ended a 20-year relationship with Nike to sign an endorsement deal with Swiss sportswear brand On. Announced on September 18, 2026, the Real Madrid star will serve as a global ambassador and help develop the company’s upcoming football boot range launching in 2027.
The sports industry witnessed a seismic shift on Friday as one of the game’s most recognisable faces walked away from the American sportswear giant that had equipped him since childhood. Kylian Mbappé officially severed ties with the Swoosh after his contract expired over the summer, choosing instead to align with Zurich-based On, according to reports detailing the high-profile departure. The move marks a massive coup for the Swiss brand as it prepares to launch its first-ever line of football boots.
Mbappé was not short on suitors. By committing to On, the 27-year-old forward bypassed established football boot heavyweights including Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Under Armour. Rather than accepting a traditional sponsorship, Mbappé secured an arrangement that includes an equity stake in the company, giving him a direct financial interest in the brand’s commercial trajectory.
Thierry Henry and the Secret Behind-the-Scenes Recruitment
The bridge between the French superstar and the Swiss running shoe company was built by another French football icon. Thierry Henry has been working quietly behind the scenes since late 2025 as On’s Director of Football, playing a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s entry into the world’s biggest sport.
Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach. Over the past year, I’ve seen first-hand the curiosity and attention to detail the team at On brings to that process.
Thierry Henry, Director of Football at On, via Yahoo Sports
Henry used his deep connection with Mbappé to help convince the World Cup record goal scorer to jump ship. Alongside Mbappé, the brand also brought in Barcelona and Switzerland women’s star Sydney Schertenleib as part of its expansive football roster.
Engineering the Future: LightSpray Technology and Product Testing
Unlike standard endorsement deals where athletes simply pose in promotional imagery, Mbappé’s contract demands hands-on product engineering. On co-CEO David Allemann noted that football does not need another brand doing more of the same
, emphasizing that the company intends to challenge market norms through true innovation and contemporary design.
The brand plans to leverage its proprietary LightSpray robotic manufacturing technology—originally introduced in 2024 to spray continuous filament performance uppers—and adapt it specifically for elite football footwear. Mbappé will work directly with On’s product teams to test and refine these upcoming boots.
I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what’s possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning.
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid forward and On global ambassador, via Bleacher Report
Nike’s Mounting Exodus of Elite Talent
Mbappé’s exit is part of a broader trend for Nike, which has watched a succession of high-value athletes cut ties in recent years. The American giant lost British tennis player Emma Raducanu to Uniqlo in a £2.6m-per-year deal, while Barcelona star Lamine Yamal defected to Adidas, noting that crowding from other marquee players like Mbappé influenced his decision.
The trail was originally blazed by tennis legend Roger Federer himself.
What Lies Ahead for On’s Football Ambitions
Entering the football boot market represents a commercial gamble for On. While the brand successfully expanded from running into tennis—attracting US Open finalist Ben Shelton—conquering football requires unseating entrenched incumbents who control global locker rooms.
With a launch slated for 2027, the company intends to follow its footwear debut by expanding into team kits and lifestyle apparel. Whether Mbappé’s star power and Henry’s tactical guidance can turn a running shoe innovator into a football powerhouse remains the defining question for the brand’s aggressive market expansion.