Kylian Mbappé has explained his decision to end his nearly 20-year association with Nike and begin a new chapter with Swiss sportswear brand On.
The France and Real Madrid forward had been linked with Nike since childhood but chose not to renew his contract with the American sportswear giant. He has now signed a 10-year partnership with On as the company makes its entry into the football market.
Speaking to CNBC alongside On co-CEO David Alleman, Mbappé said the decision represented an important change in his career and personal journey.
“Of course, I had 20 amazing years with Nike, I can only say thanks to them,” Mbappé said.
“But I think, as a person, as a player, it was the time to change… and after we started to talk, and after every discussion, I was a little bit more convinced about the fact that I have to be part of the family, I have to be part of the project, to be part of the journey with On and the football.”
Mbappé takes hands-on role at On
Mbappé’s agreement with On goes beyond simply wearing the company’s products, with the Frenchman set to help design high-performance football footwear and apparel.
The 27-year-old also explained why having a strong connection with his boots was important, particularly given the demands placed on elite footballers.
“You need to feel at one with your shoes,” Mbappé added. “As a player, you need to feel a special connection with your boot, with the ball, with the pitch, with the evolution of the game.”
He pointed to the increasing demands of the modern game, noting that top players can now feature in around 60 matches during a season while training almost every day.
“You need to feel comfortable in your shoes,” he said.
On was founded in 2010 and built its reputation primarily in running and tennis before deciding to expand into football. The company uses technologies including CloudTec cushioning and LightSpray, a robotic manufacturing process used to create shoe uppers.
Henry and Schertenleib join football project
On has also brought other prominent football figures into its new venture.
Former France international Thierry Henry has joined the company as its director of football, while Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib will contribute to the development and testing of its football apparel.
The move represents a significant expansion for On as it attempts to establish itself in a football market dominated by established brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma.
The company has also outlined ambitious growth plans for the coming years, targeting annual sales growth of around 17-19% between 2026 and 2029.
For Mbappé, however, the partnership is primarily about being involved in the development of football products rather than simply becoming the face of another sportswear campaign.
With his long-standing Nike relationship now over, his collaboration with On will give him an opportunity to influence the design and evolution of the equipment he uses on the pitch.
The next stage of the partnership will be closely watched as On prepares to launch its football products and establish its identity within the sport.
