Kylian Mbappé to end 19-year Nike partnership, linked to proposed footwear venture

Kylian Mbappé is reported by Mundo Deportivo to be preparing to terminate his 19-year relationship with Nike, according to reports published on 2026-08-10. The Real Madrid striker is said to be considering a move away from the American manufacturer in favour of a deal with a lesser-known company.

Sources say Mbappé, who also serves as France captain, is close to entering talks with an unexpected firm seeking to make a major entrance into football. That initiative reportedly would position him to launch a personal line and to take an ownership stake in the business rather than signing a traditional sponsorship contract. Adidas and Under Armour have allegedly shown interest in signing Mbappé when his Nike contract ends, but recent reports describe an alternative plan.

The reported proposal would make Mbappé the public face of a new company aiming to enter the football market with high-end footwear. Rather than simply receiving sponsorship fees, the striker could derive financial benefit from the venture’s success through equity and by building his own brand within the operation.

The account explicitly compares the concept to Michael Jordan’s trajectory, noting Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike eventually turned Jordan Brand into a global business beyond basketball. That parallel is presented in the reports as a commercial template for the proposed project involving Mbappé.

Nike would lose a long-standing relationship if the reports prove accurate; the company has been associated with Mbappé for 19 years. The American manufacturer recently produced unique Superfly 11 boots to commemorate the striker’s Golden Boot victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026, when he again finished among the tournament’s top players.

Reports stress the scheme remains in its initial phase and that no formal announcement has been made about Mbappé’s next sponsor. The striker is described as set to sign with a yet-to-be-known brand, but details were not confirmed in the coverage.

There has been no formal confirmation of Mbappé’s future sponsor, and the proposed venture is still reported to be at an early stage.