Kylian Mbappe leaves Nike after 20 years to join On Holding

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has officially concluded his long-standing relationship with Nike after nearly two decades. The French international, who had been tied to the American sportswear giant since he was eight years old, has agreed to a landmark partnership with the Swiss company On Holding.

This switch marks the end of a defining chapter in football marketing. Mbappe developed into one of Nike's most prominent global ambassadors, notably serving as the face of their Mercurial boot line throughout his time at Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid. His contract with Nike officially expired on July 31.

"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," Mbappe stated.

Mbappe's move follows a similar precedent set by tennis legend Roger Federer, who also ended a long-term partnership with Nike to collaborate with On, eventually becoming a shareholder. Similarly, Mbappe is expected to play a direct role in designing and developing the Swiss brand's upcoming football collection as they expand into the sport.

On Holding's ambitious venture into professional football places them in direct competition with established industry titans like Nike, Adidas, and Puma. Having already disrupted the running sector, the brand now aims to capture significant market share in the world's most popular sport.