Kylian Mbappé Leaves Nike for On in Major Boot Deal

Kylian Mbappé is at the center of multiple major headlines, from a blockbuster boot deal to injury controversy and derby disappointment. The Real Madrid forward has officially left Nike to become the face of Swiss brand On's new football category, a move confirmed after months of speculation. This major off-field development comes as he manages a knee injury sustained on international duty, a situation that has drawn criticism following a nightclub appearance.

Mbappé Becomes the Face of On Football

After months of rumors, Kylian Mbappé's switch from Nike to On is now official. The Swiss sportswear brand announced the French superstar as the centerpiece of its ambitious entry into football. Mbappé will work directly with On's product teams, integrating his perspective into the development of future football footwear and apparel. He described the move as an "opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow's game." The brand also named French legend Thierry Henry, who has been consulting since late 2025, as its Director of Football, uniting two iconic figures for this new venture.

Injury and Nightclub Visit Draw Scrutiny

Mbappé's current situation at Real Madrid is complicated by a physical setback. He suffered a sprain of the posterior capsule of his left knee while scoring the winning goal in France's 1-0 victory over Turkey under new manager Zinedine Zidane. Club medical staff diagnosed the issue, with initial reports suggesting a recovery timeline of ten days to two weeks, potentially sidelining him for the match against Villarreal on October 10. The controversy erupted when, during his approved recovery period, Mbappé was spotted at a nightclub in Paris with his girlfriend. This led to public criticism from figures like Spanish journalist David Sánchez, who questioned the player's professionalism and the signal it sent to fans, despite the club stating his attendance at the training facility was not mandatory.

Refuses to Fuel Madrid Derby Referee Drama

On the pitch, Mbappé and Real Madrid are dealing with the fallout from a painful 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the derby on Sunday. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David sealed the win for Atlético at the Metropolitano. The Real Madrid camp was reportedly furious with the officiating, with players refusing to speak to media after the game. Breaking that silence on Monday, Mbappé addressed the controversy with measured words. "I don't think I've ever been a player who talks much about the referee. I'm not going to start now," he told reporters. He acknowledged the officials made mistakes but stated, "I have my thoughts, but I keep them to myself."

Key Takeaways from Mbappé's Current Headlines

• Mbappé has ended his long-term partnership with Nike, signing a major deal to lead On's launch into the football market alongside Thierry Henry.
• He is recovering from a left knee capsule sprain suffered on September 26 while scoring for France, with his nightclub visit during recovery sparking a debate about his professionalism.
• The forward offered a restrained response to the refereeing controversy following Real Madrid's 2-1 derby loss to Atlético Madrid on October 2.

His immediate focus is on regaining full fitness for Real Madrid's critical upcoming matches, a timeline fans can monitor on our [injuries](/injuries) page. The convergence of a high-profile commercial move, an injury saga, and derby frustration defines a complex moment for one of football's biggest stars.