Mbappé ends 20-year Nike relationship to join Swiss brand On, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as football director

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Kylian Mbappé has ended his relationship with Nike after almost twenty years, opting for Swiss sportswear brand On for his next boot deal. He turned down overtures from Adidas and Puma in favour of the Zurich-based firm, which is new to the football market. The arrangement goes beyond standard sponsorship — Mbappé will take an equity stake, becoming one of On's shareholders. Thierry Henry, who has quietly served as On's football director since 2025, played a key role in securing the deal. The brand this week unveiled its first boot, the Lightspray Prototype, with a broader consumer launch set for next year.

Nike noted that Mbappé's 'journey with Nike began when he was nine years old' — a partnership spanning nearly two decades.