Real Madrid star set for surprise boot sponsorship after ending long-term Nike partnership

Real Madrid star set for surprise boot sponsorship after ending long-term Nike partnership Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the biggest superstars in football and a magnet when it comes to attracting brand deals. He was on World Cup duty with France, finishing 4th in the tournament and has been on holiday so far. Mbappe is scheduled to return to first-team training tomorrow. Now, the Frenchman is preparing for a major change away from the pitch after ending his long-standing relationship with Nike. According to French journalist Thibaud Vezirian (h/t Mundo Deportivo ), the Real Madrid superstar stopped wearing the American brand on 31 July and is now close to signing a highly lucrative agreement with an unexpected company. Mbappe ends relationship dating back to childhood Mbappe’s Nike relationship set to come to an end. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) Mbappe had been associated with Nike since the age of eight, meaning the reported split ends one of the longest commercial relationships of his career. Throughout his rise at Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, the French national team and now Real Madrid, Nike had remained closely tied to his image. The change is therefore significant, especially considering Mbappe’s status as one of the most marketable footballers in the world. Surprise brand expected to land Mbappe Vezirian has mentioned that Mbappe’s next sponsor is unlikely to be one of football’s established giants, such as Adidas, Puma or Under Armour. “Everything is moving very quickly for an ‘unexpected’ brand to become Kylian Mbappe’s equipment supplier,” he said. Mbappe’s mystery new brand remains unknown. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) “The agreement is being finalised. It is a major change.” The journalist added that another football star could also be involved as the company looks to make a major entrance into the football market with high-end boots. Deal could go beyond sponsorship The most intriguing part of the journalist’s reveal is the structure of Mbappe’s new agreement. “Kylian Mbappe will undoubtedly benefit from his own brand and from a stake in the company,” Vezirian explained. That would make the partnership far more substantial than a conventional boot sponsorship. For Mbappe, it could provide greater commercial control and long-term financial upside, while the mystery company would immediately gain one of football’s most recognisable global figures. While this does not necessarily change the situation directly for Los Blancos , it involves one of their biggest names. Mbappe looks set for a market-defining sponsor change, and it remains to be seen who the mystery company is.