Thierry Henry promotes boots designed for female footballers

The former French forward Thierry Henry has launched an initiative to create the first football boot designed exclusively for female players. From his role as football director of On, Switzerland, he leads the project that aims to address a real need in women's football and open new business opportunities.

A women's boot initiative

Henry, who heads On's football division, says that continuing to use boots designed for men is not normal. “You have female players wearing men's boots and that is not normal,” the Frenchman said during the project presentation. His goal is to develop footwear that meets the technical and anatomical demands of the women's game.

The growth of audiences, the professionalisation of competitions and the influx of new investments have turned women's football into an increasingly attractive market for brands. However, that evolution has not always been accompanied by products adapted to athletes' needs. Henry wants to turn that shortfall into an opportunity to innovate and close the historic equipment gap.

The initiative includes the participation of Swiss midfielder Sydney Schertenleib of FC Barcelona, who is collaborating on the development of the new products. Her presence allows the perspective of a professional footballer to be incorporated into the design process, ensuring that the boots meet the demands of the women's game.

Objectives and 2027 horizon

On uses LightSpray technology, an automated manufacturing process that creates an extremely lightweight and seamless shoe upper. This innovation aims to improve lightness, comfort and performance on the pitch. Henry points to the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil as the ideal showcase to give these boots international visibility.

The project is part of On's strategy to gain presence in football, with figures such as Kylian Mbappé linked to the development of its products. The bet shows that the women's football business is no longer limited to sponsorships, audiovisual rights or stars, but also includes technology and specific equipment.

With this initiative, Henry aims to close the historic equipment gap for female footballers and mark the start of a revolution that begins with the boots. The mindset shift in the industry reflects the need for dedicated solutions for women's football and the commercial opportunity that brands no longer want to miss.