Mbappé says: it’s ON

Picture Credit: by Nst

French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has signed a new sponsorship agreement with Swiss sportswear company On, ending his nearly two-decade relationship with Nike and marking a significant expansion for the growing athletic footwear brand.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward will become a global ambassador for On, working directly with the company's product development teams on footwear and apparel. The partnership will also involve testing future football products, including innovations using On's Lightspray technology, which employs robotics in footwear manufacturing.

Although the duration of the agreement has not been disclosed, On confirmed that the deal includes both cash and equity components.

Founded in 2010, On initially established itself in the running footwear market before expanding into training, tennis and lifestyle products. Its international profile grew considerably after tennis legend Roger Federer became an investor in 2019.

The addition of Mbappé represents a major step into the competitive football market, where Nike and Adidas have traditionally maintained a dominant presence through athlete endorsements, team sponsorships and equipment partnerships.

On is also strengthening its football ambitions by appointing former French international Thierry Henry as its director of football and expanding its partnership with Barcelona women's player Sydney Schertenleib.

The announcement comes as competition intensifies across the global sportswear industry. Adidas has benefited from strong football merchandise sales, while Nike faces pressure from emerging brands and changing consumer preferences.

Picture Credit: by Sportico

For On, securing one of football's most recognisable athletes offers an opportunity to increase its visibility beyond running and tennis while developing products specifically designed for football.

The partnership also signals a shift in the sportswear sponsorship landscape, where established industry leaders face growing competition from younger brands seeking to attract elite athletes and expand their global influence.

With Mbappé joining its expanding roster of sporting ambassadors, On is positioning itself to compete in one of the world's most commercially significant sporting markets.