Kylian Mbappé Joins On as Swiss Brand Enters Football Boot Market

Kylian Mbappé has brought an end to one of football’s most recognizable endorsement partnerships, leaving Nike to become the global face of On’s first expansion into football boots. The move marks a major commercial breakthrough for the Swiss sportswear company as it enters one of the world’s most competitive sports equipment categories.

The announcement positions the Real Madrid and France striker at the centre of On’s growing football ambitions. Best known for its premium running shoes and performance apparel, the Zurich-based brand is now extending its product line into elite football footwear, with Mbappé leading the launch.

A key figure behind the signing was Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal and France legend who has worked closely with On since joining the company as an investor and brand ambassador. Reports say Henry played an influential role in convincing Mbappé that On’s long-term vision for football aligned with his own ambitions beyond the pitch.

The partnership also strengthens the connection between two generations of French football icons, with Henry now helping shape the commercial future of one of the sport’s biggest global stars.

For more than a decade, Nike has dominated football boot endorsements through partnerships with many of the world’s leading players. Mbappé’s departure represents one of the brand’s highest-profile athlete exits in recent years and gives On an immediate foothold in elite football at the highest level.

Industry analysts view the deal as part of a broader shift in sportswear, where emerging performance brands are increasingly challenging established giants by signing globally recognized athletes and investing heavily in innovation rather than legacy market share.

While On has built its reputation in running and training, football presents a different challenge, requiring products capable of meeting the demands of speed, agility and elite-level competition. Mbappé is expected to play a central role in both product development and the global marketing of the new football boot line.

The partnership extends beyond sponsorship. It signals how athlete influence is reshaping the business of sport, with top players increasingly choosing brands that offer creative collaboration and long-term strategic roles alongside traditional endorsement deals. As On steps onto football’s biggest stage, Mbappé’s switch could become one of the defining commercial moves of the modern boot market.