Mbappé ends two-decade Nike partnership to join Swiss brand On in equity deal

Kylian Mbappé has ended his partnership with Nike and signed with Swiss sportswear brand On, the Real Madrid and France forward announced on Friday, closing a relationship with the American giant that began in 2006 when he was just nine years old.

The agreement grants Mbappé both cash and equity, giving him a direct financial stake in On as the company makes its first serious push into football, according to Reuters. The total value and length of the deal have not been disclosed.

Mbappé revealed the switch in a social media statement titled “Dream On, Football,” drawing on memories of playing with friends until sunset before the sport became his profession. “I have followed this dream for as long as I can remember,” he wrote.

Beyond the commercial arrangement, Mbappé will serve as a global ambassador and collaborate directly with On’s product teams to develop and test football footwear and apparel. The company has set 2027 as its target date for launching its first soccer cleats.

On has been building its football credentials quietly. The brand recently named former France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry as its director of soccer, signalling the seriousness of its ambitions in a market long dominated by Nike and Adidas.

For On, landing Mbappé represents a significant leap in profile. The Swiss company built its reputation in running and tennis — Swiss tennis great Roger Federer is a long-standing investor and ambassador — but has yet to establish a meaningful presence in the world’s most popular sport. Mbappé, one of the most marketable athletes on the planet, gives the brand instant credibility in that space.

The move also marks a notable shift for Mbappé, who has worn Nike boots throughout his entire professional career at Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and now Real Madrid.