Mbappé splits with Nike, signs on as global ambassador for On

Kylian Mbappé is changing things up off the field. The Real Madrid forward has ended his relationship with Nike, the brand that outfitted him since he was a kid in its Mercurial boots, to sign a deal as global ambassador for On, the Swiss sportswear company that until now had operated mostly in the running world.

The move is no small thing. On was founded in 2010 making running shoes, then took a major image leap in 2019 when Roger Federer came on board as co-owner. Now the brand is diving headfirst into soccer, and it has built a project with some heavyweight names to do it: alongside Mbappé, the company has announced that Thierry Henry will serve as its head of football.

According to the brand's own statement, Mbappé won't just be lending his face to the campaign: he "will work directly with On's product teams," suggesting his role will go beyond the purely commercial.

What the key figures said

Mbappé himself explained what convinced him to take this step:

From the start, what drew me to On was the chance to build something completely new together that helps define the future of this sport. I want to bring my experience and my perspective to what we create, push the limits of what's possible through innovation, and always keep the joy of football alive. We share a dream, and this is only the beginning.Kylian Mbappé

David Allemann, founder and co-CEO of On, was direct about the brand's intentions as it enters a market already crowded with sports giants:

Football doesn't need another sportswear brand doing more of the same. Football needs fresh ideas and a challenge to the status quo. With Kylian, we have the perfect partner to imagine what football can become.David Allemann

Thierry Henry, who has already spent a year working closely with On's team ahead of this announcement, also shared his thoughts: "Creating something new in football demands a bold and original approach. I'm proud to be part of building what's coming next."

The project doesn't stop with Mbappé and Henry. Sydney Schertenleib, who has been working with the brand since 2025, will now handle product development and testing for On's move into soccer. She said the experience changed the way she feels the ball, something she credited to the brand's distinct approach to performance and design.

Mbappé also wanted to leave a more personal note on social media, recalling the childhood dream that got him here: playing "until sunset, until dinnertime," long before soccer became his profession. He closed his post with a line that sums up the spirit of this change: "Keep dreaming."

Mbappé's departure from Nike comes just after a similar move in the sponsorship market: Lamine Yamal also left the American brand to sign with Adidas. Two of the biggest young stars in soccer today, two sponsor switches happening almost side by side.