After signing a contract with sportswear brand On, Henry gave an exclusive interview to AS. In the first part of the interview, he discussed his collaboration with Mbappé and his working philosophy at On.

The sportswear market is very complex and competitive, so why recruit Mbappé?

Honestly, it feels amazing to be able to attract top players to join and develop the brand further, to genuinely participate in all of this. Mbappé is the first, and I think he's the best in the world. As our first ambassador recruit, this is quite a strong start, no question about it.

How did you make it happen?

First, you have to offer players an attractive product. Look at these shoes and how they're made: the entire process takes just three minutes, with continuous thermoplastic filament sprayed onto the inside and outside of the shoe's body.

There's a robotic arm with a mold and a midsole at its end, rotating around it. What you see is layered and formed thermoplastic filament. Three minutes, and the finished product weighs only 30 grams. This will be the lightest football shoe on the market.

And in white...

Yes, no joke, when you're dealing with a player like Mbappé, you have to offer something substantial. Because if you're just talking about future plans...

But the sportswear industry is incredibly tough to survive in, dominated by giants like Adidas, Nike, and other major brands...

That's not the point. I've spoken with some of his teammates, and with all humility and respect, we simply want to do what we can do. Obviously it's competitive—everyone knows that—but we focus on what we can deliver, and we're relying on Mbappé to make an impact.

Is Mbappé himself heavily involved?

He will be involved in developing the shoe—whether it's materials or all the products he'll wear and that relate to him. We're committed to our philosophy of trying to create high-quality products. We talk about Mbappé and how the product changes the game, but when it comes to impact on the pitch, women's football is an unavoidable topic.

What investments will you make in women's football?

Most of the time, female players wear men's shoes, which don't fit the shape of their feet. So we're also planning to work closely with Sydney Lohmeyer to develop the best shoes for women players. Of course, Mbappé's arrival means a lot.

But influence in football must include women's football, which is crucial. Looking globally, this is where we're starting. Mbappé is here, Sydney has already joined us, and together we want to create value for football.

When discussing football, it's important to talk about women's football. The 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil is also very significant. Mbappé and Sydney are working together with the goal of promoting the development of this sport. When talking about the pitch, women's football is undoubtedly an integral part.

Is technology important for footballers?

Do you understand that feeling of fit and comfort? Players need to feel comfortable. When you touch the ball, it should feel like a second skin. I often say, though it's impossible, I really wish I could play barefoot.

If you could play barefoot in a shoe like ours, that would be the most perfect experience, and our product gets close to that feeling. What matters most is that the wearer feels comfortable and at their peak when wearing the equipment.

Why didn't Mbappé wear these new boots in the match against Atlético?

These boots will be officially launched in 2027. Mbappé has a sample pair, as you saw in training, and he can test them. But most importantly, he has to feel comfortable. We won't pressure anyone. 2027 is the official launch date.

If he wants to wear them earlier, we understand; it requires psychological adjustment from him, but we won't put that kind of pressure on him. He continues to refine these boots with us, and we're working together to make them comfortable and match-ready before he's officially asked to wear them on the pitch.

Will this technology make the game better?

Honestly, I don't know. I don't play anymore, and I can't match the intensity of Mbappé's testing. You and I could try the product, but for him, given his running style, his explosiveness, and his physical talent, it's a completely different matter.

The key is his feedback, taking the product to a new level, with a great team behind it. I have to praise the team for developing the product, recruiting Mbappé, and delivering a shoe solution in just around ten months. That speed is incredible.

We have to fully acknowledge the team's effort in completing this entire product line. As you said, this is a big undertaking. We're entering a major market, but we'll stay true to our own way and not chase trends.

We have our own philosophy: unity and cohesion, with Mbappé and Sydney participating in product development. What happens next, we'll wait and see. Of course, there are some plans we haven't announced yet.

Making a debut with Mbappé is truly bold. When I first came to this building, the shoe prototype didn't even exist yet. It was initially just a dream we imagined, and now it's become reality.

How did you feel when Mbappé came here to sign? He's one of the top players in the world.

Honestly, it's not just that which impressed me. Being able to communicate with him and getting the opportunity for him to hear our proposal already showed that we're on the right track. His willingness to consider the product we're offering proves we're heading in the right direction. At the same time, we also need to give him a voice; we're talking about Mbappé, and he knows what he wants to wear and what kind of equipment he wants.

Why not let him participate in designing his own equipment and deciding how it's used? His achievements in football absolutely deserve that respect.

When he started listening to our ideas, you can't help but wonder: Can this really happen? But everything has just begun. We need to make sure all the steps go smoothly. There will be obstacles ahead; nothing always runs smoothly.

As long as we stay united... Someone asked me earlier what my dream is for the future. To me, a brand needs a core, a philosophy, a belief from within. I don't want to disappoint the team, and I hope he'll be satisfied.

When something has positive energy, people feel that sincerity and start to like it. Everything has to come from the heart. What I value most is not letting Mbappé down.

As long as he's happy and performs well on the pitch, everyone will be satisfied. I think this is big news for football. It's very difficult for top players to switch brands after signing long-term contracts with other brands.

True, it's difficult... but not impossible.

It all started with our first conversation, when we felt his interest. Everyone involved in the project looked at each other. There's one thing I want to say to everyone: yes, Tobias communicated with me, my agent was also present, and we simultaneously connected with Mbappé and other relevant people, but I can sleep soundly at night.

I can go home and rest normally. But many staff members in this building had to stay up late, working under incredible pressure to perfect the shoe, repeatedly considering solutions, worrying whether he would like it, and constantly modifying details. These people deserve to be recognized.

It's the entire technical team that made this product happen and facilitated the collaboration with Mbappé. People talk a lot about glamorous stories, but if the product itself isn't extraordinary, it all means nothing. That's what's crucial.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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