Kylian Mbappé is leaving Nike, and not just for any brand, but for On Running. This is a pretty big deal in the sports world. Mbappé isn’t just going to be another athlete wearing their gear; he’s going to be the main face for On’s first line of football boots. To make things even more interesting, On has also brought in Thierry Henry, a legend for Arsenal and France, to lead their football division.
This move is significant for Mbappé, On, and even Nike, and it makes you wonder about the future of football boots.
For more than ten years, Mbappé and Nike seemed like a perfect match. From his early days at AS Monaco to his time at Paris Saint-Germain and now at Real Madrid, he was basically seen as the next big thing for Nike, following in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps. He was the main guy for the famous Nike Mercurial boots.
Switching from a huge brand like Nike, which has such a long history in football, is a huge risk. But it also shows that top athletes are starting to think differently about their personal brands. Mbappé seems to be looking for more than just a sponsorship. He wants a stake in the company, control over how he’s represented, and to build something lasting. He’s choosing to be the central figure of something new, instead of just one of many stars at Nike.
On, which started in Zurich in 2010, really changed the game in running shoes with their CloudTec cushioning. With help from Roger Federer, they’ve also moved into tennis, casual wear, and professional track and field. Now, by jumping into football with Mbappé, On is immediately going head-to-head with major players like Nike, Adidas, and Puma.
