French national team captain and Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has ended his two-decade partnership with Nike to sign a landmark deal with Swiss sportswear company On. The high-profile endorsement switch marks a monumental step for On as the brand officially announces its foray into football, with plans to launch its first football boots in 2027. Mbappe, who had been aligned with Nike since 2006, will serve as the centerpiece of the Roger Federer-backed company’s expansion into the sport, signaling a massive commercial shift at the highest level of global athletics.
The groundbreaking agreement comes alongside another major addition for the Swiss manufacturer, which has appointed former French superstar and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as its Director of Football. The financial market reacted immediately to the announcements, with On’s U.S.-listed shares surging 5 percent in premarket trading. The company relies heavily on the Americas for growth, a region that accounts for more than half of its total revenue. While On has maintained a strategy focused on full-price sales, it has faced hurdles in the region this year amidst choppy economic spending. Landing a global icon of Mbappe’s stature provides a definitive statement as the brand expands its footprint.
For Nike, Mbappe’s departure represents a severe commercial blow following a partnership that spanned twenty years. The American giant had increasingly leaned on the World Cup winner as its primary global football ambassador during the latter stages of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career. Mbappe remained a central figure in Nike’s marketing during the FIFA World Cup, where he was featured prominently and received signature editions of the iconic Mercurial boots. In an official statement acknowledging the split, Nike expressed pride in their shared history, stating, “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.” The loss compounds a challenging period for Nike in soccer, coming shortly after recent World Cup winner Lamine Yamal signed with Adidas.
Mbappe framed the transition as the start of an ambitious new commercial era centered around technology and collaboration. Reflecting on his decision, the French forward shared his enthusiasm for the shift ahead. “Once again it (football) has led me to one of the biggest changes in my life,” Mbappe stated. “Now, I find myself surrounded by innovators who dream of the same things I do.” For the French captain, the move represents a fresh chapter in a career that continues to reach new heights, as he remains focused on driving performance on the pitch with Real Madrid while shaping the future of footwear design alongside On’s engineering team.
This landmark commercial shift unfolds during an intense period on the pitch for Mbappe, who remains in contention for football’s highest individual honors alongside contenders such as Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled for October 26. As Mbappe aligns himself with On and Thierry Henry to help develop the brand’s first football boots for 2027, his transition marks a historic departure from traditional sportswear giants, establishing a new blueprint for superstar player endorsements in modern sport.
