End of a two-decade partnership

French national team captain and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has ended his partnership with Nike to sign a multi-year deal with Swiss sportswear company On. The agreement marks the conclusion of a relationship that began in 2006 when Mbappe was an eight-year-old youth player at AS Bondy. Mbappe's previous contract with Nike expired on 31 July 2026, shortly after the American manufacturer issued a golden Mercurial Superfly 11 boot celebrating his World Cup Golden Boot award. The departure represents Nike's second high-profile football athlete loss of the year following the exit of Spanish forward Lamine Yamal to Adidas. Nike acknowledged the departure in a statement wishing the player continued success in his career.

“We are proud of what we achieved together on and off the pitch. As he moves into the next phase of his career, we wish him continued success for what comes next.”

On's football expansion and management

Founded in Zurich in 2010 as a running shoe manufacturer, On is making its formal entry into football with plans to release its first football boots and apparel in 2027. The Swiss company, backed by former tennis champion Roger Federer and listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2021, named former French international Thierry Henry as its director of football. Henry worked with the company starting in late 2025 to develop product strategies, testing protocols, and player outreach. On initially stepped into football in December 2025 by signing Swiss international and FC Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib as its first football ambassador. Following the announcement of the Mbappe partnership on Friday, On's United States-listed shares gained 5% in premarket trading.

Product development and LightSpray technology

Mbappe joins On as a global brand ambassador, product collaborator, and shareholder in the Swiss enterprise. The company intends to adapt its LightSpray robotic manufacturing technology to high-performance football boots. The process sprays a single continuous synthetic filament to construct a seamless shoe upper without glues, coatings, or stitching. An On spokesperson told the AWP news agency that the product line will feature distinct boot lasts and stud configurations engineered separately for men and women before rolling out across global markets in 2027. Mbappe explained his motivation for the partnership in statements published across his social media channels.

“Once again it (football) has led me to one of the biggest changes in my life. Now, I find myself surrounded by innovators who dream of the same things I do.”

Market positioning and commercial strategy

Sports economist Christophe Lepetit noted that the agreement provides Mbappe with central positioning within a growing brand, drawing comparisons to Roger Federer's equity-backed arrangements with On and Uniqlo. The Americas currently account for more than half of On's total revenue, where the company has focused on full-price retail sales despite uneven consumer spending throughout 2026. For Nike, whose stock has declined by more than 40%, Mbappe's departure removes one of its central marketing figures after years of featuring him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in headline campaigns. On plans to introduce its complete line of football boots and training apparel progressively throughout 2027.