Mbappé erases Nike logo for Madrid derby with new On boots

Kylian Mbappé played the Madrid derby against Atlético in all-white Nike Mercurial boots, a makeshift solution designed to hide the swoosh of his former equipment partner — now replaced by Swiss brand On.

The week before the match, Real Madrid’s striker and France captain officially ended his partnership with Nike, his historic partner, to join On. The Swiss brand, until now absent from top-level football, has made the Frenchman its flagship ambassador in hopes of establishing itself in this market.

“From the start, what attracted me to On was the possibility of building something completely new together, which will help shape the game of tomorrow,” Mbappé said in a statement. “I want to bring my experience and perspective to what we create, push the boundaries through innovation and always remain true to the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is just the beginning.”

A pair of boots specially designed for him by On is in development, but was not yet available for the derby. Mbappé therefore opted for a pair of Mercurial customized entirely in white, erasing — almost completely — the Nike swoosh. An image that illustrates, literally, the ongoing transition between two eras for one of the most bankable footballers on the planet.

This sartorial choice comes during a busy period for the Bondy native: his Ballon d’Or candidacy, a controversy surrounding a t-shirt in support of Ceuta, and Real Madrid’s difficulties in La Liga form a context in which every detail about him takes on particular resonance.