Thierry Henry Unveils On's Prototype Football Boot and Stars in Samsung's Latest Campaign

Thierry Henry is making major moves in the business and media worlds this October. The Arsenal legend and On's Director of Football has just teased the brand's first-ever football boot, a prototype set for public release in early 2027. This comes as he simultaneously stars as the face of Samsung's new Galaxy Z8 foldables campaign across Europe, a role he took on October 7, 2026.

Henry shared a close-up look at the prototype on his Instagram. The boot, stamped with the development code ON-DCPT-KM210, features a radical design. Its thin, translucent upper is made using On's proprietary LightSpray technology. This robotic spraying process eliminates traditional seams and overlays, aiming for a seamless construction focused on weight reduction and performance. The cleat was first worn by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, who leads On's athlete roster alongside Barcelona's Sydney Schertenleib. The public launch is scheduled for early 2027.

Samsung's choice of Henry, 49, for its high-end foldables campaign is a strategic shift. The campaign launched on October 7, 2026, promoting the Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra, and Flip8 across Europe. It follows a TV campaign Henry fronted for the brand in April. Analysts suggest Samsung is targeting an older, affluent demographic who watched Henry play and can now afford a device costing around £1,500. He is the only retired footballer on Samsung's ambassador list and the first the brand has moved from a TV campaign to fronting its phone division.

Oppo's bet is on football's future to attract young buyers, while Samsung is leveraging football's memory.

Beyond his commercial work, Henry has been vocal in his praise for emerging talent. He recently highlighted the qualities of US men's national team teenager Cavan Sullivan. Henry singled out the same attribute that impressed Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. Sullivan, who turned 17 this fall, made his senior USMNT debut and became the youngest scorer in the program's history during the recent international break.

As a pundit, Henry remains direct in his analysis. He was critical of a Manchester United star's performance following a defeat to Atletico Madrid. While the specific source story did not provide the date of the match or the player's name, it confirms Henry's ongoing role as a forthright voice in football commentary, holding current players to the high standards he once embodied.

• Key Takeaways
• Thierry Henry unveiled On's prototype football boot, featuring LightSpray tech, via Instagram on October 7, 2026. It launches in early 2027.
• He fronts Samsung's Galaxy Z8 foldables campaign in Europe, targeting an older demographic with a £1,500 device.
• Henry praised 17-year-old USMNT forward Cavan Sullivan after his record-breaking debut goal this fall.

Henry's varied career continues to influence football from the boardroom to the broadcast booth, connecting the sport's past with its commercial and sporting future.