Thierry Henry has given fans their first proper look at how On's football boots will perform on the pitch, wearing a pair during Robert Pires' testimonial match at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz.
The appearance comes a month after news broke that Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé was set to leave long-time partner Nike to become the face of On. The Swiss sportswear brand confirmed it is moving into football, with Mbappé as its flagship ambassador. He had been a Nike athlete since making his professional debut in 2015 at the age of 16, building his own line of footwear, sportswear and lifestyle apparel along the way. His previous Nike deal was due to expire in the summer of 2026, freeing him up to sign elsewhere. As part of his move to On, Mbappé has also been given equity in the brand, giving him a financial stake in its future.
Mbappé is expected to wear the first pair of On boots in 2027 as development continues.
Henry's role behind the scenes
Henry has been working closely with Mbappé in his capacity as On's Director of Football. In that role, the former Arsenal striker helps shape the brand's football strategy, contributes to product development across boots and apparel, advises on player partnerships, and guides how the company approaches football culture and innovation.
The boots on show in Metz use On's LightSpray manufacturing technique, an automated robotic spraying process that creates a seamless, ultra-thin one-piece upper. On expects the finished product to be the lightest football boot ever made.
Speaking to AS recently, Henry said the final version of the boot will be released at some stage next year, with Mbappé currently still using prototypes for training purposes.
