French soccer champion Kylian Mbappé has told CNBC that he is ready for a “change” after ending a relationship of almost 20 years. nike He also signed a contract with Swiss sportswear brand On.
On, a new entrant into the soccer market, announced on Friday that it will collaborate with Mbappé to design high-performance footwear and apparel. The French player, who has been associated with Nike since childhood, has chosen not to renew his contract with the sportswear giant.
On also announced that former player and commentator Thierry Henry will join as its new football director, and FC Barcelona player Sidney Scheltenleib will help develop and test football apparel.
“Of course, I’ve had a great 20 years with Nike and I can only say thank you to them,” Mbappe said in a joint interview with CNBC’s Carolyn Ross on Monday, along with On co-CEO David Alleman.
Mbappé on Nike: ‘It was time for a change’
“But as a person, as a player, I think it’s time to change… and since we started talking, and after each conversation, I’ve become a little bit more convinced about the fact that I have to be part of the family, I have to be part of the project, I have to be part of On and the football journey,” he added.
“You need to feel one with your shoes,” Mbappe continued in an interview with CNBC. “As a player, you need to feel a special connection with the boots, the ball, the pitch and the evolution of the game. Now you play 60 games a season. You train every day. The intensity is high. You need to be comfortable in the shoes.”
Founded in 2010, On is known for its running and tennis apparel that incorporates technologies such as CloudTec and LightSpray.
CloudTec is On’s running cushioned midsole technology, and LightSpray is a robotic manufacturing process where a robot sprays filament to create the shoe’s performance upper.
Highlights of the interview between Mbappé and On co-CEO David Alleman will be broadcast on CNBC’s “Squawkbox Europe” on Tuesday.
