Mbappé, Henry and Schertenleib help develop On’s first football boot

On confirmed on September 18, 2026, that it is entering football and developing future footwear and apparel for the sport. That does not mean a boot is already available: the announcement provides no commercial name, price, release date or final specifications. What exists for now is a project involving Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry and Sydney Schertenleib in distinct roles, alongside the adaptation of robotic LightSpray manufacturing to football’s demands.

What On announced — and what remains unknown

In its official September 18 announcement, On presents its arrival in football as an athlete-led development process. Elite players will work directly with product teams to test, challenge and refine future items.

The company mentions footwear and apparel, but it does not unveil a range ready for sale or establish a public timetable. Nor does it provide comparative evidence supporting claims that the future boot will be faster, more comfortable or more effective than rival models. Lightness, precision and a close-to-the-body fit are described as project ambitions, not as independently demonstrated results.

For readers asking “when will it arrive?” or “how much will it cost?”, the accurate answer on September 18 is that those details have not been disclosed. Any updates should be checked through the brand’s official channels.

Mbappé will contribute to development and testing

Kylian Mbappé will become a global On ambassador and work directly with the teams responsible for its products. According to the company, his reading of the game and experience in elite football will feed into the development and testing of future footwear and apparel.

That role extends beyond appearing in a campaign, but the announcement does not turn the player into an engineer or lead designer. The most accurate description is that he will provide sporting feedback and help guide prototypes. The referenced Real Madrid profile was unavailable when the sources were collected, so no club statistics are used here.

Thierry Henry leads the strategy

Thierry Henry has been named On’s Director of Football. He had already been working behind the scenes since late 2025 and, according to the brand, is involved across several dimensions of its entry into the sport: product approach, athlete relationships, football culture and future strategy.

His remit is therefore broader and more strategic than that of a product tester. Henry is helping structure the company’s football operation and connect technical development with the way the brand intends to position itself in the game. The announcement does not detail commercial targets, sponsored teams or competitions.

Schertenleib brings a women’s-football perspective

Sydney Schertenleib will also participate in product development and testing, with an emphasis on items intended for the future of the women’s game. Her relationship with On began in December 2025 in training and lifestyle and is now expanding into football.

The choice has verifiable sporting context. On’s official profile identifies her as a Swiss international and FC Barcelona player. Barcelona states that the midfielder arrived in 2024 to join its development team and became part of the first-team squad in the European summer of 2025.

She does not hold Henry’s position and is not presented as Mbappé’s promotional equivalent. Her stated contribution is to bring playing experience into the creation process and help shape products conceived for women’s football.

How LightSpray fits into the boot

LightSpray is a manufacturing process that forms the upper — the portion above the sole — from a continuously sprayed filament applied robotically. On’s technology page says the method can turn raw material into an upper in minutes while removing steps, excess textiles and some components.

The technology was introduced in 2024 and first used in running products. The company now says it is adapting the process to football’s specific demands. That matters because a boot must emerge from the interaction between its construction, contact with the ball and athlete assessment; a running solution cannot simply be transferred automatically.

There is also an important limit to the environmental interpretation. On claims reductions in waste and emissions associated with upper production, compared with other On racing shoes, and cites external validation on the page. The source does not offer a specific environmental comparison between the future football boot and conventional football models.

What to watch next

The next concrete signals will be the unveiling of a finished model, its specifications, confirmed markets, price and sales date, together with evidence that makes its performance claims assessable. Until then, the announcement is best understood as the opening of a product laboratory with three complementary contributions: Mbappé tests and advises, Henry directs strategy, and Schertenleib provides an active women’s-football perspective.

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