Mbappe Dumps Nike for Swiss Brand On

​France captain and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has officially ended his two-decade-long association with Nike, signing a landmark long-term agreement with Swiss sportswear brand On.

​The blockbuster move marks On’s official entry into football. The Zurich-based company—backed by tennis legend Roger Federer—also announced the appointment of 1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry as its new Director of Football. Henry has been working behind the scenes since late 2025 to help shape the brand’s strategic football division and product line.

​A New Era of Innovation

​Mbappé, the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals, will serve as both a global ambassador and equity shareholder. Rather than simply endorsing existing gear, the forward will collaborate directly with On’s development labs in Zurich to test and build next-generation football boots and apparel utilizing the brand’s proprietary LightSpray™ spray-on textile technology.

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​”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.”

​A Major Blow to Nike

​Mbappé’s departure represents a significant commercial loss for Nike, which had backed the Frenchman since 2006 and positioned him as the primary face of its football division following Cristiano Ronaldo. It follows a growing trend of elite players shifting alliances, notably Lamine Yamal’s high-profile switch from Nike to Adidas in 2024.

​Despite losing Mbappé, Nike maintains contracts with several marquee names, including Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior. Meanwhile, On plans to debut its heavily anticipated football footwear line next year, aiming to disrupt the market with heavyweights like Mbappé, Henry, and FC Barcelona midfielder Sydney Schertenleib leading the charge.