Kylian Mbappé Signs Groundbreaking Deal with On Football

Kylian Mbappé has ripped up one of football’s longest-running commercial stories and started a new one. After 20 years with Nike, from prodigy to global superstar, the France captain has signed a boot deal with Swiss challenger brand On.

It is not just a change of logo. It is a change of direction.

Mbappé backs On’s bold move into football

On, the Zurich-based sports and leisure company best known for its running and tennis shoes, is preparing a full-scale assault on the football market next year. To do it, it has brought in serious names: Thierry Henry has been appointed football director, while Roger Federer, who himself walked away from Nike to join On late in his career, is already a shareholder.

Mbappé will go a step further. He is not just wearing the boots – he is buying into the project as a shareholder.

“From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game,” Mbappé said. “I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what’s possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning.”

For a company new to football, it is a spectacular statement of intent.

This week On unveiled its first boots, the Lightspray Prototype. They will hit the mass market next year, before the brand expands into training kit. For now, the message is simple: On wants a place at football’s top table, and it has chosen one of the sport’s most powerful figures to lead the charge.

A rare defeat for Nike in the boot wars

Mbappé’s exit, which came at the end of his contract after the World Cup, lands as a heavy blow for Nike. The 27-year-old has fronted major campaigns for the American giant, becoming one of the defining faces of Nike Football.

“Kylian’s journey with Nike began when he was nine years old,” Nike said in a statement. “Over nearly two decades, we’ve shared moments that shaped the game and he has been an important part of Nike Football. We are proud of what we achieved together on and off the pitch.”

The history is rich. The separation is still stark.

Nike and Adidas currently dominate the boot market. Their products were worn by more than 40% of players at this summer’s World Cup, according to data from retailer Fútbol Emotion. Puma sits a distant third with around 10%.

That stranglehold has left little room for outsiders. Under Armour, New Balance and Skechers – whose boots are used by England captain Harry Kane – have all pushed to break through. On the pitch, they have landed big-name players. In the shops, they have struggled to turn that visibility into serious retail share.

On is stepping into that same storm, but with a different playbook: a young, global icon in Mbappé, a World Cup-winning legend in Henry steering the football vision, and Federer’s backing in the boardroom.

The question now is not whether On is serious. It is how quickly this alliance can start to bend a market long controlled by the traditional giants.