Mbappé leaves Nike for On, bringing a new name into football boots

Football’s latest big move does not involve changing clubs. It involves the name on a pair of boots, and a company hoping those boots can open an entirely new business.

Kylian Mbappé has left Nike to partner with Swiss sportswear brand On. The company announced its entry into football on September 18, with the Real Madrid forward as a global ambassador and a participant in developing future products.

More than a face on a poster

According to On’s announcement, Mbappé will work with its teams on the development and testing of football footwear and clothing. His role also extends beyond football into the brand’s wider activities.

On is bringing Thierry Henry into the project as director of football. The former France and Arsenal star has been working behind the scenes on the move since late 2025, helping shape its product approach and strategy.

That gives the launch two very different kinds of football experience: a current star testing what he needs on the pitch, and a former player helping decide where the business should go.

The women’s game is part of the plan

SoccerBible’s coverage highlights another name in the project: Sydney Schertenleib. The Switzerland international and Barcelona player first joined On as a training and lifestyle ambassador in December 2025.

Her partnership now expands into football, including testing and product development. It is a useful detail in an announcement that could otherwise become entirely about one famous forward changing sponsors.

On says it wants players’ feedback to shape the products from the start. Whether that produces a better boot will have to be judged when the products are available, rather than from the excitement around the signing.

When can fans actually buy them?

El País reports that On’s football products are expected to reach the market in 2027. The company has not disclosed the financial terms of Mbappé’s agreement. A high-profile announcement should not be mistaken for a shop launch.

For fans who follow boots as closely as transfers, the appeal is obvious: a new competitor brings something else to inspect, debate and possibly try. The group chat now has another reason to argue about footwear instead of the offside rule.

But the ordinary player’s questions remain practical. Does the boot fit? Does it feel comfortable through a match? Does the price make sense? A star’s name can introduce a product, but it cannot answer those questions for everyone.

Mbappé gives On attention immediately. Henry and Schertenleib add experience to the project. What happens next depends on the boots and clothing the company actually makes, and whether players find them worth wearing.