On Enters Football - Kylian Mbappé Leaves Nike For Swiss Brand
- Kylian Mbappé Joins On Football: Swiss brand On has officially entered the football market, signing Kylian Mbappé as the global face of its new division in a landmark 10-year deal that includes an equity stake.
- Thierry Henry Appointed Director of Football: Legendary French forward Thierry Henry has been officially appointed as On's Director of Football, working behind the scenes since late 2025 to shape strategy and product development.
- LightSpray™ Football Boots Launching in 2027: On is bringing its cutting-edge LightSpray™ technology, first used in running shoes, to its new football boots, which are scheduled for retail and on-pitch launch in 2027.
In one of the most shocking sportswear shake-ups in modern football history, Swiss brand On just officially announced its entry into the football market, unveiling Kylian Mbappé as the global face of its new division. The Real Madrid and France superstar departs Nike after an iconic partnership spanning his entire professional career, joining On on a reported landmark 10-year deal that includes an equity stake in the rapidly growing company.
Thierry Henry Appointed Director of Football
Mbappé will not be alone in spearheading the project. Legendary French forward Thierry Henry has been officially appointed as On's Director of Football, having worked with the Zurich-based brand behind the scenes since late 2025 to shape its strategy, athlete roster, and product development. Swiss international and FC Barcelona star Sydney Schertenleib also sees her partnership expand into elite football development, ensuring a focused athlete-led perspective across both the men's and women's games.
LightSpray™ Football Boots Arriving in 2027
Rather than replicating conventional football boot manufacturing, On is bringing its cutting-edge LightSpray™ technology to the pitch. First introduced in running shoes in 2024, LightSpray™ uses an automated robotic arm to spray a continuous thermoplastic filament, crafting an ultra-lightweight, seamless upper with a precision second-skin fit. Mbappé, Henry, and Schertenleib are already actively involved in prototyping and rigorous testing at the On Labs in Zurich, with the first commercial On football boots scheduled for retail and on-pitch launch in 2027, as per industry insiders.
The capture of Mbappé represents a massive statement of intent from On, echoing the high-profile blueprint that brought tennis legend Roger Federer into the company. For Nike, the loss of their primary football figurehead is a severe blow, while instantly establishing On as a bold new competitor ready to challenge football's long-standing boot duopoly.
In fact, Nike had already prepared Kylian Mbappé signature boots for 2027. We expect the French superstar to continue wearing Nike Mercurial football boots for the next few months, but possibly in a black or whiteout version.
What do you think of Kylian Mbappé leaving Nike for On? Are you eager to see what On's first football boots look like? Share your thoughts in the comments below.