Kylian Mbappé Leaves Nike for On Running
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is leaving Nike after nearly two decades with the sportswear giant, signing with Swiss performance brand On as it prepares to enter the football market.
The Real Madrid forward will become the face of On’s new football category and serve as a global ambassador for the brand. As part of the partnership, Mbappé will work directly with On’s product teams, helping develop and test future football footwear and apparel.
Mbappé has been with Nike since 2006, when he was just eight years old. His move to On marks a significant new chapter in his long-standing relationship with sportswear and gives the Swiss company a major international star as it expands into one of the world’s biggest sports.
“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,” Mbappé said. “We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning.”
On is also bringing legendary French footballer Thierry Henry into a key leadership role. The former France World Cup winner and Arsenal star has been named Director of Football after working behind the scenes with On since late 2025.
Thierry Henry
Henry will help guide the development of On Football, including product strategy, athlete relationships and the brand’s approach to football culture.
“Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach,” Henry said. “We want to listen to players, understand what they need and create something that can genuinely add to the game.”
On is also expanding its relationship with Swiss international and FC Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib. After joining the brand in December 2025 as a training and lifestyle ambassador, Schertenleib will now contribute directly to On’s football product development and testing, with a particular focus on the women’s game.
Sydney Schertenleib
The company plans to adapt technologies including LightSpray and CloudTec to the demands of elite football. On says its development process will be athlete-led, with professional players working alongside its product teams to test and refine upcoming football products.
With Mbappé, Henry and Schertenleib involved, On is positioning its football launch around performance, innovation and contemporary design as it takes aim at an established sportswear category.
“We want to be the brand of the future — through true innovation and contemporary design,” said On co-founder and co-CEO David Allemann. “Our ambition is to bring On’s approach to the pitch, the pavement, and the runway — connecting elite performance with the culture that surrounds the game.”
Photos: Courtesy of On
