Nike loses Mbappé, Henry leads the On project in football

In Zurich, the Swiss brand On announced today its official entry into the world of football, signing an agreement with French striker Kylian Mbappé, born in 1998, who is leaving Nike after twenty years to become the main face of the new football line.

The new face of On

On has chosen Kylian Mbappé, star of Real Madrid, as the main face of its football line. The player, born in 1998, is leaving Nike after twenty years of collaboration, also becoming a shareholder of the group thanks to an equity participation provided for in the contract. The partnership stipulates that Mbappé will work directly with the product teams on the development of football shoes and apparel.

«Mbappé will be at the heart of On's football journey, bringing together one of the most representative players in football with one of the most innovative sports apparel brands. He will work directly with On's product teams, integrating his elite perspective into the development and testing of future football shoes and apparel.»

Thierry Henry at the helm

Thierry Henry has been appointed Director of Football of On, taking the lead on the football project. The former French striker, Arsenal legend, has been working with the brand in secret since the end of 2025, when the project was launched. According to The Athletic, Henry played a decisive role in convincing Mbappé to move to On after his contract with Nike expired.

His role includes the strategic development of On Football, from managing relationships with athletes to product design and the cultural approach to football. Henry will also oversee talent selection and the definition of partnerships, aiming to create a solid presence in the football market.

Strategy and products of On

On, founded in Zurich in 2010 and specialized in running shoes, has already ventured into the tennis market, with Roger Federer becoming a shareholder in 2019 and Ben Shelton a partner in 2023. The company introduced its proprietary LightSpray technology in 2024, which provides lightweight and high‑performance footwear, and intends to apply it to future football shoes.

On's first football boots will be available on the market in 2027, positioned as premium. On's entry into football challenges the dominance of Nike, Adidas and Puma, and adds to the competition from New Balance and Skechers. Henry and Mbappé will lead the development, aiming for an innovative offering for athletes.