After 20 years.. Mbappé ends relationship with Nike and signs with new company

Kylian Mbappé, captain of the France national team and star of Real Madrid, has ended his association with Nike after nearly 20 years, having decided to sign a new footwear deal with Swiss company On. This surprising move represents a significant shift in his commercial career.

According to The Guardian, Kylian Mbappé's contract with Nike ended after the FIFA World Cup, leading the 27-year-old player to join On, which is preparing to make a strong entry into the football market in the near future.

Kylian Mbappé will not only be linked to the Swiss company through a shoe contract, but he will also become a shareholder in On, directly participating in its new project within the world of football.

Mbappé said: "From the very beginning, what attracted me to On was the opportunity to build something completely new together, something that helps shape the future of the game. I want to bring my experience and perspective to what we will create, and push the boundaries of what is possible through innovation, while always keeping the joy of football. We have a shared dream, and this is just the beginning."

On, which has focused primarily on running and tennis in recent years, is preparing to enter the world of football more prominently starting next year, after revealing this week its first football-specific shoes, the Lightspray Prototype, which will be available to the public from next year, before later expanding into training apparel.

Kylian Mbappé joins On in their new project coinciding with the appointment of former French star Thierry Henry as the company's football director, in a move that reflects their ambitions to make a strong entry into the global football market.

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, who also ended his partnership with Nike during the latter part of his career, holds a stake in On, joining Mbappé as a new investor in the company.

Mbappé's departure represents a significant commercial blow for Nike, as the French player has been one of the most prominent faces of their advertising campaigns for many years, before the collaboration between the two parties ended after two decades of partnership.

Nike stated: "Kylian's journey with Nike began when he was nine years old. Over nearly two decades, we have shared moments that have shaped the game, and he has been an important part of football at Nike. We are proud of what we have achieved together on and off the pitch."

Mbappé's move comes at a time when Nike and Adidas continue to dominate the football boot market, with players from both companies wearing over 40% of the boots used in the FIFA World Cup this summer, according to data collected by Fútbol Emotion, while Puma captured around 10% of the market.

Thus, Mbappé begins a new commercial chapter away from Nike, as On prepares to embark on its first experience in football, with ambitions to build a new brand around the game and leverage the presence of one of the world's top stars.