Kylian Mbappé Could Leave Nike After 19 Years
One of the most important commercial partnerships in world football could be coming to an end. Kylian Mbappé is reportedly preparing for a major change off the pitch after spending practically his entire career with Nike.
Several reports from France indicate that the Real Madrid forward may have ended his contractual relationship with the American company on July 31, and his next move could be far more surprising than simply switching sponsors.
According to French journalist Thibaud Vézirian, Mbappé could be close to joining forces with an unexpected brand looking to make a major entrance into the football market. The project could even allow the French star to have his own line and hold a stake in the company.
If confirmed, it would mark the end of an era. Mbappé has been associated with Nike since he was eight years old, with the company accompanying him throughout practically his entire development and his eventual rise into one of the biggest stars in world football.
Mbappé Could Bet on His Own Brand
What makes the potential move particularly interesting is what could come next.
In recent months, companies such as Adidas and Under Armour have reportedly shown interest in signing Mbappé once his relationship with Nike came to an end. However, the latest reports point toward a completely different scenario.
The idea would be to make the Frenchman the centerpiece of a new brand looking to break into football with high-end boots and Mbappé as its biggest name.
Rather than simply receiving another sponsorship deal, the France captain could directly benefit from the project's growth through a stake in the company and the development of his own brand.
The concept inevitably brings to mind what Michael Jordan achieved, with his relationship with Nike eventually turning Jordan Brand into a global powerhouse that expanded far beyond basketball.
Of course, the project surrounding Mbappé would still be in its early stages, and there has been no official confirmation regarding his next sponsor.
A Major Blow for Nike
Losing Mbappé would represent a significant blow for Nike, especially after 19 years of building a relationship with one of football's most marketable stars.
The American company recently unveiled special Superfly 11 boots to celebrate the striker's Golden Boot triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he once again finished as one of the tournament's biggest stars.
Ironically, those boots could end up becoming one of the final exclusive Nike releases created for the Frenchman.
There had already been signs for months that the partnership could be approaching its conclusion. Le Parisien reported in March that the chances of a renewal were very slim, while L'Équipe later indicated that Nike was still prepared to make a major effort to retain one of its biggest athletes.
Reports also valued the Frenchman's agreement with the company at around €14 million per year, another indication of Mbappé's enormous commercial power away from the pitch.
A New Era for Mbappé
The decision could represent much more than simply changing football boots.
At 27, Mbappé finds himself at one of the most important stages of his career. He is one of Real Madrid's biggest stars, the captain of France, and has just won the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot.
Now, he could attempt to turn that enormous sporting influence into a business project of his own.
For years, football's biggest stars have signed multimillion-dollar contracts to become the faces of the world's leading sportswear companies. Mbappé could be looking for something different: moving beyond simply being the face of a brand and becoming part of the business itself.
It remains to be seen exactly what his next move will be, and there has been no official announcement regarding his commercial future. But if the reports coming out of France prove accurate, the separation would bring an end to a relationship that began when Kylian Mbappé was only eight years old.
Nineteen years later, one of the most recognizable partnerships in modern football could be coming to an end.
