Kylian Mbappe Leaves Nike for Swiss Brand On, Ending Decade-Long Partnership

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has signed with Swiss athletic company On, officially concluding a collaboration with Nike that began in 2006. The announcement marks a significant shift in the football equipment market and represents a major expansion for the Zurich-based brand.

In a statement released on Friday, On highlighted the signing as the start of its entry into football, describing it as “the world’s biggest sport.” French international Mbappe expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating that the appeal lay in the chance to “build something entirely new together” and help shape the future of the game.

The partnership also includes the appointment of 1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry as On’s football director. The company, which was founded in 2010 and previously concentrated on running and tennis footwear, is scheduled to launch its first line of football boots next year.

Mbappe’s departure deals a notable blow to Nike, currently the world’s largest sportswear corporation. The forward had served as one of Nike’s primary football ambassadors, effectively succeeding Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, whose playing career is nearing its end. Mbappe is also the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals and won the tournament in 2018.

This move follows a similar transition by Spain’s Lamine Yamal, a recent World Cup winner who switched from Nike to Adidas in 2024. On counts tennis champion Roger Federer among its shareholders; Federer also left Nike late in his career to join the brand.

Nike continues to hold contracts with several other top-tier footballers, including Norway’s Erling Haaland and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior. The financial terms of Mbappe’s deal with On were not disclosed.