Kylian Mbappe Set to End Nike Partnership in Boot Deal That Could Reshape the Football Industry

Mbappe Poised to Leave Nike for Swiss Disruptor On

Kylian Mbappe appears set to end his long-standing partnership with Nike, with reports suggesting the France and Real Madrid superstar will not renew his contract with the American sportswear giant after nearly two decades together.

According to French insider Thibaut Vezirian, rather than moving to one of Nike's established rivals, Mbappe is instead poised to join On, the Swiss sportswear company known for its running shoe technology, in what would mark the brand's first entry into football boot manufacturing.

Nearly Two Decades With Nike

Mbappe's relationship with Nike began at the age of eight, when he was first signed to a boot deal while playing for boyhood club Bondy near Paris. He wore Nike boots throughout his rise at Monaco, during France's 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia, and in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina, where he scored a hat-trick.

Nike has released 12 signature boots for Mbappe over the course of his career, including the Mercurial Superfly 11, which launched earlier in August. Reports indicate his contract with Nike expired on July 31 and has not been renewed.

A New Kind of Partnership

Unlike a conventional sponsorship, the reported deal with On would see Mbappe receive equity in the company in the form of shares, alongside a personal "sub-brand" of signature football boots. The structure is said to give him genuine input into product strategy and brand direction, drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan's relationship with Nike's Jordan Brand.

Founded 16 years ago, On has grown rapidly through its patented CloudTec running shoe technology and was valued at approximately $10.77 billion (£7.95bn) as of August 2026.

A Track Record With Star Athletes

On has previous experience attracting major sporting names away from established brands. In 2019, the company signed tennis great Roger Federer, who left Nike to join On and later became a shareholder after investing a reported $50 million for a 3% stake. Federer also collaborated on the brand's popular lifestyle trainer, "The Roger."

Sports marketing expert Steve Martin, writing in City AM, said a similar structure with Mbappe would give On significant global credibility, noting that his visibility through Real Madrid, Champions League, and France international appearances would function as an ongoing marketing platform.

Martin added that an equity-based arrangement would align Mbappe's interests directly with the brand's long-term success, rather than functioning as a traditional promotional agreement.

Part of a Wider Shift in Football Boot Deals

Mbappe's rumoured move follows a broader trend of non-traditional brands entering football sponsorship. Skechers, for example, signed Harry Kane to a lifetime deal in 2023, marking their own first foray into football boots.

Should the Mbappe-On partnership materialise, it would represent one of the most significant developments in football boot sponsorship history, potentially influencing how future athlete-brand relationships are structured across the sport.