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Kylian Mbappé has ended his long relationship with Nike and signed with Swiss sportswear company On, giving the brand a major name as it prepares to enter football.
On announced the partnership on September 18, confirming that Mbappé will work with its product teams on future football boots and kits. He will also serve as a global ambassador as the company builds its football business.
The move ends a partnership that began when Mbappé was a child. Reuters reported that the France captain had been with Nike for about two decades, making the switch one of the most notable changes in football sponsorship in recent years.
Mbappé joins On for its football launch
On has built its reputation around running footwear and later expanded into tennis and other sports. The Zurich based company is now taking that experience into football, with Mbappé at the center of its plans.
The company says its football products will be developed with direct input from elite players. Its approach will also include LightSpray technology, which On has used in its footwear manufacturing. The brand plans to launch its first football boots in 2027.
Mbappé is expected to play an active role in testing and refining the products rather than serving only as a promotional figure. That gives the partnership a product development element that mirrors On’s wider athlete focused strategy.
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Thierry Henry takes a key role
On has also appointed former France international Thierry Henry as its Director of Football. Henry has been working with the company since late 2025, helping prepare its entry into the sport and contributing to its product and football strategy.
Henry brings a World Cup winning background and extensive experience from his playing career in France and at Arsenal. His role will cover areas including product development, athlete relationships and the brand’s approach to football culture.
Swiss international and Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib is also involved in the project. She joined On in 2025 and will contribute to the development of products for the women’s game.
For On, the move represents a major expansion beyond its established running and tennis business. For Mbappé, it begins a new chapter in sportswear after years as one of Nike’s most visible football ambassadors. The financial terms of his agreement have not been disclosed.
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