Kylian Mbappé joins On after Nike departure
Swiss sportswear company On has marked its entry into the world of football by bringing on board star French forward Kylian Mbappé, who has thus ended his 20-year association with Nike.
Mbappé will work with On’s product teams and bring his perspective to On’s development and testing of future football footwear and apparel. Mbappé will also serve as On’s Global Ambassador, becoming the face of the brand.
Alongside Mbappé, French icon Thierry Henry has also joined On as Director of Football. Henry, who has been working with the brand since late 2025, will work on strategic development of On Football, from product and athlete relationships to how On approaches the culture and future of the sport.
Alongside the two French World Cup winners, young Swiss footballer Sydney Schertenleib, who currently plays for FC Barcelona and already serves as an On ambassador for Training and Lifestyle, will now also work with the brand on product development and testing for products for the women’s game.
On joining the On family, Kylian Mbappé commented:
“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.”
Thierry Henry, On’s Director of Football, said:
“Building something new in football requires a bold and original approach. 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.”
Sydney Schertenleib stated:
“I’ve already experienced how differently On thinks about performance and design, so being part of its journey into football feels really exciting. As a player, having the opportunity to work directly with On and bring my perspective into the development process is something really special. I can honestly say, I’ve never felt the ball like I have in the product the team is working on.”
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.”
