Kylian Mbappé signs landmark boot deal with On after ending

Kylian Mbappé has ended a 20-year partnership with Nike, signing a landmark boot deal with the Swiss challenger brand On. The France captain will also become a shareholder in the company, which is making its first major move into football next year.

Mbappé becomes a brand builder with On

Mbappé's departure from Nike, which began when he was nine, is a significant shift in the football boot market. He will be the central figure for On's entry into the sport, following a path similar to tennis great Roger Federer, who also joined the Zurich-based firm. "From the beginning, what drew me to On was the opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game," Mbappé said. The brand unveiled its first football boot, the Lightspray Prototype, this week, with a full market release planned for next year. On has also appointed Thierry Henry as its football director.

The Ballon d'Or race heats up

Mbappé believes 2026 could finally be his year to win the Ballon d'Or. He made his case on Monday, pointing to a historic individual season. He won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, setting a new all-time tournament record of 22 goals. He also scored 42 goals in 44 matches for Real Madrid. "Maybe it’s a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think," Mbappé said. The award will be presented on October 26 in London. His main rival appears to be Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who won the World Cup with Spain and La Liga with his club. Yamal himself stated he believes he deserves the award over Mbappé this year.

Zidane confirms Mbappé as France captain

New France manager Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Friday that Mbappé will remain the national team captain. Zidane, who named his first squad since taking over from Didier Deschamps, praised Mbappé's versatility. "He is capable of playing in the three positions and I also really like him on the left," Zidane told reporters. Mbappé led France to the World Cup semi-finals this summer, finishing as the tournament's top scorer. Zidane's first games in charge are UEFA Nations League matches, starting with a trip to Turkiye on September 25 and a game against Belgium on September 28.

A calculated gesture in the sponsor cold war

At a press conference ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Monday, Mbappé deliberately moved a bottle of Gatorade out of the camera frame. This was not a casual act but a calculated business move. The French superstar has long guarded his image rights, refusing to promote ultra-processed foods or sugary drinks. His action echoes a long-running conflict in elite sports, where league sponsorship obligations clash with athletes' personal commercial empires. It recalls a similar tactic famously used by NBA star LeBron James over a decade ago.

Mbappé's 2025-26 Key Numbers

• Key Takeaways
• Mbappé ends a two-decade relationship with Nike to join and invest in Swiss brand On.
• He is a leading contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or after a record-breaking World Cup and 42 goals for Real Madrid.
• Zinedine Zidane has confirmed him as captain for France's new era.
• His deliberate snub of a Gatorade bottle highlights ongoing tensions between star athletes and league sponsors.