Kylian Mbappé has officially ended his long-standing partnership with Nike to sign with Swiss athletic brand On, marking a massive strategic shift for both the player and the emerging sportswear company as it moves aggressively into global football.
A High-Profile Exit from Nike After a Decade-Long Partnership
The Real Madrid and France national team captain finalized his agreement with the Zurich-based brand, stepping away from the American sportswear giant that had outfitted him since his youth. According to announcements released by the company, the partnership signifies On’s official entry into the football market, choosing the French superstar as the anchor of its new campaign.
For Nike, the departure represents a significant blow. The American company had built much of its modern football marketing around the forward, particularly as he established himself as a dominant global icon. Mbappé steadily emerged as Nike’s primary talisman in the sport, eventually sharing and surpassing the mantle held by veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite losing its most prominent European headliner, Nike maintains active deals with other marquee talents, including Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior and Norway striker Erling Haaland, alongside a lucrative, long-term kit supplier contract with the French Football Federation (FFF) that runs through 2034.
Thierry Henry Joins On as Director of Football
Alongside Mbappé’s arrival, On secured another massive coup for its newly minted football division by naming 1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry as its Director of Football.
Mbappé highlighted the collaborative nature of the project as a primary motivator for the switch. In a statement released by the brand, the forward explained that the prospect of building something entirely innovative from the ground up drew him to the Swiss outfit. “From the beginning, what I’ve been drawn to with On is the possibility of building together something completely new that will help shape the game of tomorrow,” Mbappé stated, emphasizing his desire to push boundaries through product innovation.
Inside On’s Rapid Rise in Elite Sport
Founded in 2010 and initially recognized for engineering high-performance running and tennis footwear, On has steadily expanded its footprint across global athletics. The company previously executed a similar high-profile coup in tennis by bringing aboard Swiss legend Roger Federer both as an investor and a key collaborator following the conclusion of his illustrious career on the court.
While financial terms of Mbappé’s contract were not disclosed by the brand, the partnership places the forward at the center of On’s multi-year strategy to capture market share in the world’s most popular sport.
What Lies Ahead for Mbappé and On
As Mbappé transitions to his new equipment provider, his immediate focus returns to domestic and international competition with Real Madrid and Les Bleus. The forward continues his campaign on multiple fronts, with domestic league fixtures, UEFA Champions League commitments, and upcoming international windows dominating his schedule.
Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see when On officially unveils the first signature footwear line designed specifically for its new captain. Official updates regarding product rollouts and upcoming fixtures will be published across the player’s and the brand’s verified channels.
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