Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the French national football team, has opted not to renew his expiring contract with Nike, a deal that generated approximately €14 million annually. Speculation about his shift in sponsorship had circulated for months, and confirmation of this change emerged in August. Now, Mbappe has partnered with On, a sportswear company based in Zurich.
This morning, the Swiss brand launched a new Instagram account named “On.football.” The Real Madrid player had been associated with Nike since a young age, becoming one of the key figures for the brand in the football world. His departure represents a significant loss for Nike, who had positioned Mbappe as a leading ambassador in the sport, especially after he succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo in this role.
On, established in 2010, initially focused on running shoes and has since expanded into tennis, training gear, outdoor sports, and lifestyle apparel. Last year, the company reported revenues of 3 billion Swiss francs, approximately €3.16 billion. On Tuesday, the brand plans to present financial goals to investors for the upcoming years.
According to Bloomberg, Mbappe will work closely with On’s team to develop and test football boots and apparel. Additionally, he will provide insights to footwear experts and represent the brand off the pitch. The 1998 World Cup champion has gained recognition not only for his athletic prowess but also for his fashion sense, appearing in campaigns for Dior.
“From the very beginning, I was drawn to the opportunity to create something entirely new that will help shape the football of tomorrow,” Mbappe remarked.
On emphasizes its innovative Lightspray technology, which enables robots to spray the upper part of a shoe around an athlete’s foot in just a few minutes. This solution aims to provide products that are “exceptionally light, precise, and close to the athlete’s body, like a second skin.” The brand introduced this technology in 2024, initially in high-end marathon shoes, before expanding its application to more mainstream products.
Interestingly, Thierry Henry, another legendary French footballer, has recently taken on the role of Director of Football at On. The former star of France’s national team and Arsenal will assist in the brand’s expansion strategy.
The financial specifics of Mbappe’s collaboration with On have not been disclosed, but the company aims for a long-term relationship with the athlete, modeled after its partnership with Roger Federer. The tennis legend also parted ways with Nike towards the end of his career and joined On in 2019 as an investor. Federer currently holds about 2.5% of the company’s shares and has been actively involved in product development since then.
Despite Mbappe’s departure, Nike continues to hold contracts with several major football stars, including Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and Brazilian player Vinicius, who is Mbappe’s teammate at Real Madrid. The American company, headquartered in Oregon, also remains a supplier for the French national team, having extended its contract with the French Football Federation until 2034 for approximately €100 million annually.
