French soccer icon Kylian Mbappé has officially turned the page on a nearly twenty-year partnership with sportswear giant Nike, explaining that the high-profile switch to Swiss athletic brand On was driven by a desire for a fresh professional chapter. The forward spent his formative athletic years alongside Nike, building a globally recognized association, but ultimately chose not to renew his longstanding contract as he sought new horizons.

The strategic shift brings Mbappé into the fold of On as the company aggressively expands its footprint into the global soccer market. Alongside the French standout, the Swiss brand has enlisted legendary French player and commentator Thierry Henry to serve as its new director of football, while FC Barcelona star Sydney Schertenleib has signed on to assist in developing and testing the company’s specialized soccer apparel and footwear lines.

Reflecting on the monumental transition, Mbappé expressed deep gratitude for his decades-long history with Nike but emphasized that personal and professional growth necessitated a new direction. During discussions with On’s leadership, including co-CEO David Alleman, the striker became convinced that he wanted to be an integral part of shaping the brand’s unique football journey, focusing heavily on comfort, innovation, and the intense physical demands of modern football where players routinely compete in 60 matches a season.

Founded in 2010, On has built a robust reputation primarily within the running and tennis markets, leveraging proprietary innovations like CloudTec cushioned midsoles and the futuristic LightSpray robotic manufacturing process. By bringing in elite football talent, the company is positioning itself to disrupt the traditional soccer equipment landscape, challenging established industry titans with fresh technological advancements and player-driven design collaborations.

Key Takeaways

• Kylian Mbappé ended his nearly 20-year sponsorship association with Nike, citing a personal and professional need for change.
• The French star has partnered with Swiss athletic brand On to help design high-performance soccer footwear and apparel.
• On is aggressively entering the soccer market, also bringing on board Thierry Henry as director of football and Sydney Schertenleib for product testing.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

Kylian Mbappé’s departure from Nike to join the rapidly growing Swiss sportswear brand On marks a significant milestone in sports marketing and athletic apparel competition. For decades, legacy giants like Nike and Adidas have maintained a near-duopoly over elite soccer endorsements. By successfully luring one of the world’s most marketable and recognizable athletes, On is signaling its ambition to challenge the status quo in a new vertical. This move not only elevates On’s brand visibility globally but also sets a precedent for athletes taking a more hands-on, equity-like approach in brand partnerships rather than traditional endorsement deals. As On integrates its advanced technologies like LightSpray and CloudTec into soccer footwear, the industry will closely watch whether innovative newcomers can successfully capture market share from entrenched incumbents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Kylian Mbappé leave Nike?
A: Mbappé stated that after nearly 20 years with Nike, he felt it was simply time for a change and was heavily convinced by On's vision and project for football.

Q: What is On's background in sports?
A: Founded in 2010, On is a Swiss sportswear company primarily known for its innovative running and tennis gear, utilizing technologies like CloudTec and LightSpray.

Q: Who else is joining On for its soccer expansion?
A: In addition to Kylian Mbappé, On has brought in retired player and commentator Thierry Henry as director of football and FC Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib to test and develop soccer apparel.