• Mbappé ends 20-year association with Nike
• On also brings in Thierry Henry as director of football
• Swiss company best known for running shoes but has also expanded into tennis and padel

Swiss sportswear brand On has made a blockbuster move into soccer by signing a boot deal with French star Kylian Mbappé.

The move signals the end of Mbappé’s 20-year partnership with US company Nike, which has sponsored the Real Madrid forward since he was a child.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s best players, Mbappé will now serve as a global brand ambassador for On and work directly with the company’s product teams to develop its range of soccer boots and apparel.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but The Athletic reports that the deal gives Mbappé equity in On, which was founded in 2010 and is best known for its running shoes.

“From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game,” said Mbappé, who ranked 13th in SportsPro’s list of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes in 2025.

“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.”

Mbappé’s departure is the latest blow to Nike after Spanish teen sensation Lamine Yamal swapped the brand for German rival Adidas in 2024, though it does still have the likes of Norway striker Erling Haaland on its books.

For On, the signing of Mbappé is central to a broader push into soccer, which has also seen the company hire Thierry Henry as its director of football.

On said the French Fifa World Cup winner and Arsenal legend has been working with the brand since late last year and will now continue to play a role in both product development and athlete relationships. 

Meanwhile, On is expanding its deal with Barcelona midfielder Sydney Schertenleib, who became the first soccer player to partner with the company in December as a training and lifestyle ambassador. The Switzerland international will also now collaborate with On around products for the women’s game. 

The decision to reportedly hand Mbappé equity in On would follow a similar blueprint to the brand’s relationship with tennis great Roger Federer, who invested in the company in 2019. 

That deal helped raise the profile of On and marked the beginning of its expansion into tennis. Since then, it has added Poland’s Iga Świątek and American Ben Shelton to its roster, while it also has endorsement deals with athletes across endurance sports and padel.

The fiercely competitive soccer market is likely to present a different challenge.

Nike and German company Adidas have traditionally dominated the soccer boot market, holding off competition from the likes of Puma, Under Armour and New Balance. Trainer brand Skechers made the most recent high-profile entry into the space by signing a lifetime deal with England captain Harry Kane. 

However, On will hope to emulate its rapid growth in sports like running, where it has been able to eat into the market share of legacy players by introducing tech-infused shoes to the market. 

The company plans to bring its LightSpray manufacturing technology to soccer and launch its first boots in 2027, although The Athletic said Mbappé could be seen wearing them in the coming weeks. 

The Financial Times reports that On will then turn its attention to soccer kits, lifestyle products and trainers, which could open up the potential for partnerships with teams.

A move into the world’s most popular sport marks a significant milestone for On, which raised US$746 million in its 2021 initial public offering (IPO). In 2025, the company generated more than CHF3 billion (US$3.6 billion) in annual revenue.

“Football doesn’t need another sportswear brand to do more of the same,” said David Allemann, founder and co-chief executive of On. “Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible.

“Our ambition is to bring On’s approach to the pitch, the pavement, and the runway – connecting elite performance with the culture that surrounds the game. With Kylian we have the perfect partner to dream what football can become.”