Kylian Mbappé leaves Nike to become face of On’s football boots expansion

Kylian Mbappé just did something no footballer of his stature has done in a generation: he walked away from Nike. On September 18, 2026, the French superstar announced he had signed a 10-year global ambassador deal with On, the Swiss sportswear company best known for its running shoes. The agreement includes both cash compensation and an equity stake in the company, making Mbappé not just a pitchman but a part-owner. On’s US-listed shares jumped roughly 5% in premarket trading on the news. Two decades with the Swoosh, done Mbappé’s Nike partnership started in 2006, when he was around eight years old. For his entire professional career, he wore Nike Mercurial boots. The contract expired after the 2026 World Cup, and Mbappé chose not to renew. For Nike, losing arguably the most marketable footballer on the planet comes at an uncomfortable time. The company has been battling sales declines and intensifying pressure from Adidas and a wave of upstart competitors. On’s football playbook Founded in Zurich in 2010, On built its reputation on running footwear. Its patented CloudTec cushioning technology became a cult favorite among distance runners and athleisure shoppers alike. More recent...