Kylian Mbappé Leaves Nike for On Football Boots

Kylian Mbappé has walked away from a 20-year relationship with Nike to sign a boot deal with Swiss upstart On, a move that jolts the football boot industry and signals a bold new push from the Zurich-based brand.

The France captain, who first signed with Nike as a nine-year-old, will not only wear On’s boots – he will also become a shareholder in the company, following a path similar to Roger Federer, another former Nike icon who joined On late in his playing career and also holds a stake.

On, long associated with running and tennis, is preparing a full-blooded assault on football in 2025. The company has already hired Thierry Henry as its football director and this week revealed its first ever football boots, the Lightspray Prototype. The model will hit the mass market next year, before the brand branches out into training wear.

“From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game,” he 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. We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning.”

For Nike, his exit at the end of his contract after the World Cup is a heavy hit. Mbappé, now 27, has been one of the central faces of Nike Football, fronting a string of global campaigns and symbolising the brand’s next generation after Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

“Kylian’s journey with Nike began when he was nine years old,” Nike said in a statement. “Over nearly two decades, we’ve shared moments that shaped the game and he has been an important part of Nike Football. We are proud of what we achieved together on and off the pitch.”

The loss comes not long after another blow: Barcelona and Spain prodigy Lamine Yamal switched from Nike to Adidas two years ago, reinforcing how fiercely contested the boot market has become at the very top of the game.

Right now, Nike and Adidas still tower over the field. Their boots were worn by more than 40% of players at this summer’s World Cup, according to data from retailer Fútbol Emotion, with Puma taking roughly 10%. The rest are fighting over scraps.

Several challenger brands have tried to break that duopoly. Under Armour, New Balance and Skechers – whose boots are worn by England captain Harry Kane – have all pushed to gain traction. None has truly cracked the global retail market.

On is betting that Mbappé’s star power, Henry’s football brain and its own reputation for performance tech can change that equation. The question now is whether one of the game’s biggest names can drag a newcomer into a space long guarded by giants.