Kylian Mbappé is in the process of changing his boot sponsor, which could reconfigure the current panorama of the sports market.
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French journalist Thibaud Vézirian, an expert in the sector, reported that the Real Madrid striker ended his contract with Nike on July 31. The American brand had sponsored the player since he was eight years old. Currently, he would be finalizing a new agreement with a company whose name has not yet been disclosed.
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The information indicates that the new partner is a brand with little visibility in football, distancing itself from giants such as Adidas, Puma or New Balance. The plan includes entering the football boot market, with the launch of a high-end model directly linked to the image of the French national team player.
Vézirian details that Mbappé will not just be the face of the new brand. The agreement being drafted may provide for a sub-brand with the star’s name and even a shareholding in the company. This model would transform the France captain into an active partner in the brand’s growth, and not just an ambassador.
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A similar arrangement, albeit in a different context, was adopted by Roger Federer with On Running. The former Swiss tennis player became a shareholder in the Swiss sports equipment brand and developed a line of products that bear his name in partnership with the company.
The possible separation from Nike comes after a multi-year collaboration. Mbappé began his partnership with the North American giant at the youth level, becoming a central figure in the company’s football strategy.
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The French star’s football boot sponsorship situation has been closely monitored by the specialized press in the country, which had already pointed to the possibility of a break with Nike before the 2026/27 season. To date, the identity of the new brand and the final terms of the contract remain confidential.