Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the French national team, has officially ended his long-standing partnership with Nike and signed with the Swiss sportswear brand On, the company announced on Friday. This marks a significant shift as On ventures into football, leveraging Mbappe’s global football stature to establish itself in the world’s most popular sport.
In a statement, On revealed its ambition by appointing Thierry Henry, the 1998 World Cup winner, as its football director. The Swiss company intends to introduce its first-ever football boots in the coming year, signaling a serious commitment to the football market.
Mbappe and On: A New Football Chapter
Mbappe expressed enthusiasm about his new collaboration with On, emphasizing the chance to innovate within football gear development. “From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game,” he said. He added that his goal is to contribute his experience and mindset to push the boundaries of innovation while maintaining the joy that football brings.
Founded in 2010, On has primarily focused on running and tennis footwear up until now. Notably, the company counts tennis legend Roger Federer among its shareholders. Federer himself transitioned from Nike to On near the end of his career, reflecting a similar trajectory to Mbappe’s recent move.
Although the financial terms of Mbappe’s contract with On were not disclosed, his departure represents a notable loss for Nike, the largest sportswear corporation globally, which had supported the forward since the start of his career.