Kylian Mbappe ditches Nike for Roger Federer's sportswear brand: Real Madrid star signs with Swiss firm On - after Thierry Henry convinced him to jump ship while operating in secret role

Kylian Mbappe is set to become the face of Swiss sportswear company On as it expands into football boot manufacturing, following the end of his long-term partnership with Nike.

Spanish newspapers reported earlier this summer that Mbappe, who had been sponsored by Nike since childhood, cut ties with the sportswear giant on July 31 with a view to signing a new lucrative contract with an 'unexpected' brand.

On, a premium running shoe brand that sought a $50million (£37.4m) investment from Roger Federer in 2019 following its expansion into tennis, has now agreed a multi-million-pound deal to make the Real Madrid and France superstar, 27, the face of its new football venture.

While On’s expansion into tennis has proved fruitful, with US Open finalist Ben Shelton among the high-profile stars to sport the 17-year-old Swiss brand’s apparel, its move into football boots represents its biggest challenge yet by some distance.

On plans to launch its first range of football boots next year, before expanding into kits and subsequently lifestyle products.

As part of the expansion, On has also appointed fellow France great Thierry Henry as its director of football.

Kylian Mbappe has signed a new lucrative deal with Swiss sportswear company On

The French international, 27, has ditched Nike - who had sponsored him since he was a child

Thierry Henry, On's new director of football, played a key role in convincing Mbappe to sign

The former Arsenal forward has been secretly working in the post since 2025 and played a key role in convincing Mbappe to sign with On after splitting with Nike.

Sharing pictures of Henry to its Instagram page on Friday, the Swiss brand said: 'After a year behind the scenes, working with us on the future of the game we love, meet On’s Director of Football. His view? "It’s limitless". Dream On, Football.'

Posting on his Instagram page to confirm the new deal on Friday, Mbappe said:' 'Dream On, Football. I still dream of playing football.

'That might surprise you, coming from someone who plays it for a living. But it’s true.

'I still dream of playing with my friends. Playing until sunset. Until dinner. Playing just because it was a game, long before it could become a career.

'I have followed this dream for as long as I can remember. Once again it has led me to one of the biggest changes in my life. Now, I find myself surrounded by innovators who dream of the same things I do.

'Of bringing foot as close as possible to ball. Of bringing the people as close as possible to the game. Of bringing the world as close as possible to play.

'I guess that’s the thing about dreams that refuse to change. They’re usually the ones that change everything. Dream On.'

The sportswear company also unveiled Barcelona and Switzerland women's star Sydney Schertenleib, 19, as part of its football expansion.

By agreeing to sign with On, Mbappe has ignored huge sports brands including Adidas, Puma, New Balance and Under Armour, as well as Nike.

Nike, in particular, has suffered a mass exodus of top sports stars in recent years, with droves of highly valuable athletes opting to cut ties with the brand for exciting new ventures.

British tennis player Emma Raducanu ditched Nike to sign a lucrative £2.6m-per-year deal with Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo earlier this year, while Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal opted to join Adidas in June.

Both Harry Kane (left) and Jack Grealish (right) have moved on from Nike deals in recent years

Roger Federer bought a 3% stake in the business for a reported $50million (£37.4m) in 2019

Explaining the decision, Yamal ironically revealed on his YouTube channel that he favoured Adidas over Nike because the likes of Mbappe were blocking him from becoming the face of the brand.

Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Kai Havertz and Lisandro Martinez are among the other footballers to have ditched Nike in recent years, while American tennis star Taylor Fritz has swapped the sportswear giant for Hugo Boss.

In many ways, Swiss tennis great Federer blazed the trail by leaving Nike in 2018 after the company attempted to reduce his endorsement salary, despite making him a cornerstone athlete alongside Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tiger Woods, who later ended his iconic 27-year partnership with the company in January 2024.

Federer signed a 10-year $300m (£224.36m) deal with Uniqlo but, since the fashion firm were not selling sports shoes, he was free to find a footwear sponsor.

That led him to On, which at the time was an upstart running shoe company based in Zurich - and he bought a 3% stake in the business for a reported $50m (£37.4m) in 2019.

Fast forward to 2026, and the Swiss tennis great's stake in On has risen to a reported $545m (£408m), with the company estimated to be worth $18.19billion (£13.63bn).