Mbappe Is Still Wearing Nike Boots Despite His New On Deal — and The Swoosh Had a Subtle Response

Kylian Mbappe’s contract with On has been signed and announced to the world, and the superstar player has already been spotted training in a prototype featuring the Swiss’ brand’s Lightspray technology. On’s entry into football apparently isn’t fully ready to proceed, however, as the Real Madrid forward played continued to play in Nike boots in his first match since unveiling the new deal.

Just as he did in the World Cup, prior to his Nike contract expiring, Mbappe played in Real Madrid’s Sunday match wearing the Mercurial Superfly 11. An all-white upper rendered Nike’s branding nearly invisible, but not enough so to go without notice.

In what seems like a response to Mbappe continuing to choose the Swoosh, his former sponsored has made a similar all-white treatment for the same boot one of the default options on its Nike By You customization platform. No overt mention has been made to Mbappe, but a “Just In” label above the product listing demonstrates Nike was quick with the subtle dig.

Real Madrid is an Adidas club, so the Three Stripes-branded shirt, shorts and socks put a second logo on Mbappe that wasn’t On.

Mbappe had been signed with Nike since 2006, when he was just eight years old. A statement posted to his website upon the deal’s announcement said he saw “opportunity to build something entirely new together that will help shape tomorrow’s game.”

Joining him at On is all-time great and fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry, who was named director of football.