On enters football market with Kylian Mbappé

Swiss sportswear manufacturer On is expanding its range to include the football category, launching it together with French world champion Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé will support product development from the outset and test future football boots and apparel together with the product teams, On announced on Friday. He will also become a global brand ambassador and will therefore be involved beyond football. Thierry Henry, who has been working on the entry into the sport behind the scenes since the end of 2025, will take on the position of director of football.

“What drew me to On from the very beginning was the opportunity to build something completely new together that will help shape the future of football,” Mbappé is quoted as saying. “I want to bring my experience and my perspective to what we are developing, push the boundaries of what is possible through innovation and remain true to the joy of football.”

Technologically, the company is relying on LightSpray, a robot-assisted manufacturing process introduced in 2024 in which the upper is created from a continuously sprayed filament. The process will now be adapted to the requirements of professional football. The aim is to create a particularly lightweight and precise product that fits snugly on the foot. The development is designed to be athlete-led from the outset; professionals will test and further develop the products together with the product teams.

“Football doesn't need another sports brand that does more of the same. Football needs new ideas and a challenge to what is possible,” says David Allemann, co-founder and co-chief executive officer (Co-CEO) of On. “When we enter a sport, we want to be the brand of the future, through real innovation and contemporary design.”

In addition to Mbappé and Henry, Sydney Schertenleib is also part of the line-up. The Swiss national player, who is under contract with FC Barcelona, joined On in December 2025 as an ambassador for the training and lifestyle sectors. In the future, she will also be involved in the development and testing of football products, particularly for women's football.

The market launch is accompanied by a campaign by photographer Juergen Teller, who has staged the three athletes in the On Labs in Zurich. On was founded in Switzerland in 2010 and, according to the company, is present in more than 90 countries.

This article was created with the help of AI.