Soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé on ending 20-year journey with Nike: 'It was time to change'

Kylian Mbappé explains Nike exit as On enters soccer market Skip Navigation Markets Business Investing Tech Politics & Policy Video Watchlist Investing Club PRO Livestream Menu Key Points French soccer star Kylian Mbappé said he was ready for “change” after ending his nearly 20-year Nike association. "I have to be part of the project, to be part of the journey with On and the football," he told CNBC in an interview about joining Swiss sports brand On. On has tapped Mbappé, Thierry Henry and Sydney Schertenleib for its entry into soccer. In this article ONON NKE Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT watch now VIDEO 0:48 00:48 'It was time for change': Mbappé on leaving Nike and signing with On Squawk Box Europe French soccer champion Kylian Mbappé has told CNBC he was ready for "change" after ending an almost 20-year association with Nike and entering a deal with Swiss sportswear brand On. On, a new entrant in the soccer market, announced Friday that it will be working with Mbappé to design high-performance footwear and apparel. The French player, who has been associated with Nike since childhood, chose not to renew his deal with the sportswear giant. On also announced that retired player and commentator Thierry Henry would join as its new director of football and FC Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib would help develop and test its soccer apparel. "Of course, I had 20 amazing years with Nike, I can only say thanks to them," Mbappé said in a joint interview alongside On's co-CEO David Alleman, with CNBC's Carolin Roth on Monday. Mbappé on Nike: 'It was the time to change' "But I think, as a person, as a player, it was the time to change... and after we started to talk, and after every discussion, I was 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, to be part of the journey with On and the football," he added. "You need to feel at one with your shoes," Mbappé continued in the CNBC interview. "As a player, you need to feel a special connection with your boot, with the ball, with the pitch, with the evolution of the game. Now you play 60 games in a season. You train every day. The intensity is high. You need to feel comfortable in your shoes." On was founded in 2010 and is known for its running and tennis apparel, which incorporates technologies such as CloudTec and LightSpray. CloudTec is On's cushioned midsole technology for running, while LightSpray is a robotic manufacturing process in which a robot sprays a filament to create the shoe's performance upper. Highlights of the interview with Mbappé and On's co-CEO David Alleman will be broadcast on CNBC's "Squawkbox Europe" on Tuesday. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news. watch now watch now VIDEO 07:28 UK minister for women and equalities: supporting women will help achieve growth Tania Bryer watch now watch now VIDEO 17:50 Former Australia PM Julia Gillard on D.E.I being 'under attack' and the Gen Z divide on gender equality Tania Bryer watch now watch now VIDEO 03:59 'We found our tribe': Mel B on the Spice Girls Read More