-
News
- 34 minutes ago
Kylian Mbappe has left Nike: His new sponsor is the next big thing
18 Sep 2026 09:30 CDT |
11 min read
Analysis
Real Madrid and France superstar Kylian Mbappe has officially left long-term sponsors Nike to sign for Swiss sportswear brand On.
The move signals On’s first move into the football market, with Mbappe becoming the face of their new project after ending his long-term partnership with Nike.
In an official statement posted by On, Mbappe said: “From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game. I want to bring my experience and perspective into what we create, push what’s possible through innovation, and always stay true to the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is only the beginning. "
The France attacker added on Instagram: “Dream On, Football. I still dream of playing football. That might surprise you, coming from someone who plays it for a living. But it’s true.
“I still dream of playing with my friends. Playing until sunset. Until dinner. Playing just because it was a game, long before it could become a career. I have followed this dream for as long as I can remember. Once again it has led me to one of the biggest changes in my life.
“Now, I find myself surrounded by innovators who dream of the same things I do. Of bringing foot as close as possible to ball. Of bringing the people as close as possible to the game. Of bringing the world as close as possible to play.
“I guess that’s the thing about dreams that refuse to change. They’re usually the ones that change everything. Dream On.”
Meanwhile, David Allemann, Founder and co-CEO of On said: “Football doesn’t need another sportswear brand to do more of the same. Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible.
“When we enter a sport, we want to be the brand of the future – through true innovation and contemporary design. Our ambition is to bring On’s approach to the pitch, the pavement, and the runway – connecting elite performance with the culture that surrounds the game.
“With Kylian we have the perfect partner to dream what football can become.”
Mbappe had been sponsored by Nike since 2006 and the move is a ground-breaking capture from On, who are ready to rival Nike, Adidas, Puma and New Balance in the football market.
Who are On?
Founded in 2010 by former Swiss Ironman champion Olivier Bernhard, alongside the aforementioned Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, On is an emerging sportswear company that has made great strides to rival the biggest companies in the industry over the last decade.
It’s understood that Bernhard took rubber from a common garden hose to build a shoe that he believed felt like running on clouds - hence the company’s name. He pitched the idea to Nike, his sponsor at the time, but his proposal was rejected. In response, he co-founded On.
On specialise in innovative running shoes, hiking gear, and sportswear apparel, and they have boomed in popularity amongst athletes and fitness influencers in recent years.
Meanwhile, after spotting tennis legend Roger Federer wearing their shoes, On partnered with the Swiss athlete in 2019 and he soon joined the company as a key investor. It’s reported that he invested $50 million, with his 3% stake now worth over $300 million.
Federer has played a major role in their growth over the past few years, and he launched 'The Roger' shoe collection in 2021.
Which other athletes do On sponsor?
On has a huge roster of sponsored athletes including tennis stars Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton, Ironman World Champion Kristian Blummenfelt, European Triathlon Champion Jeanne Lehair and British middle-distance runner George Mills.
As mentioned, Federer is also one of their most prominent sponsored athletes.
Meanwhile, On announced its partnership with Barcelona Women wonderkid Sydney Joy Schertenleib in December 2025. She was initially an ambassador for their Training and Lifestyle programme, but her role will now expand to help the company’s growth in the football market.
In addition to announcing the arrival of Mbappe, On has also welcomed Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry as their new Director of Football.
“Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach,” Henry admitted in a press release.
“Over the past year, I’ve seen first-hand the curiosity and attention to detail the team at On brings to that process. We want to listen to players, understand what they need and create something that can genuinely add to the game. I’m proud to be part of shaping what comes next.”
On’s influence goes beyond sport, too. They announced a multi-year collaboration with American actress Zendaya in 2024, and their first co-created collection of footwear and apparel launched two years later.
Fellow Hollywood stars Will Smith and Emma Stone have also been spotted wearing On trainers, although they are not sponsored by the brand.
On’s capture of Mbappe is a real statement of intent and signals they are ready to compete with the biggest football brands in the world, with several other high-profile players likely to follow suit in the coming years.
Read more about:
La Liga
Kylian Mbappé
