Mbappé On Partnership

Kylian Mbappé is moving from Nike to On, ending a relationship with the sportswear giant that reportedly lasted about two decades. The change places one of soccer’s most visible players at the center of On’s strategy to establish itself in the sport, extending the Swiss company’s presence beyond its better-known running, training and lifestyle categories.

For On, Mbappé offers global reach, elite performance credibility and a strong connection with younger fans. The partnership arrives as the company launches a dedicated soccer division, signaling ambitions to compete in a market dominated by established players such as Nike, Adidas and Puma. Soccer footwear and apparel can provide a major platform for brand growth, but success will depend on product performance, distribution and the ability to build a wider roster of athletes and clubs.

Mbappé’s switch also illustrates how endorsement deals are becoming an increasingly important part of sportswear competition. Top athletes can help emerging brands gain cultural visibility quickly, while brands can offer marquee players a more prominent role in product development and long-term strategy. The immediate focus will be how On translates its design and performance identity into soccer products, and whether Mbappé’s association can help make the new division a meaningful rival in the global soccer market.