After signing with the sportswear brand On, Henry granted 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 extremely complex and competitive, and you signed Mbappé...

Honestly, it's incredible to be able to attract top players to join us, to take a step forward in building the brand and to truly be part of all this. Mbappé was the first; I believe he's the best in the world, and as our first ambassador, it's an excellent start, no doubt about it.

How did you manage it?

First, you need to offer products that appeal to players. Look at these boots and how they're made: the entire process takes only three minutes, with thermoplastic filaments continuously sprayed inside and outside the upper.

There's a robotic arm with a mold and an outsole at its tip, rotating around it. What you see is a thermoplastic filament being layered and formed. In three minutes, the finished product weighs just 30 grams... these will be the lightest football boots on the market.

And in all seriousness...

Yes, no joking around, when you're dealing with a player like Mbappé, you need to offer something substantial. Because if you just talk about future plans...

But survival in the sportswear industry is difficult, dominated by giants: Adidas, Nike, and other major brands...

That's not really the main point. I've spoken with some of their teammates with total humility and respect—we simply want to do what we can. Obviously, it's a competition; everyone knows that. But we focus on what we can do and rely on Mbappé to make an impact.

Is Mbappé himself deeply involved?

He participates in the development of the boots, whether it's the materials or all the products he'll wear that are associated with him. We stay true to our philosophy of creating high-quality products. We talk about Mbappé and how our products change the game, but when it comes to impact on the pitch, women's football is an unavoidable topic.

What investments are you planning in women's football?

Most of the time, female footballers wear men's boots, which don't fit the shape of their feet. That's why we also plan to work closely with Sydney Lohmeyer to develop boots better suited for female players. Of course, Mbappé's arrival is enormously significant.

But influence in football must extend to women's football—that's crucial. Globally, that's where we're starting. Mbappé has joined us, Sydney has too, and together we want to create value for the sport of football.

When talking about football, we must talk about women's football. The 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil is also vital. Mbappé and Sydney working together aim to promote the development of the sport. When it comes to the pitch, women's football is an indispensable part.

Is technology important for footballers?

Do you understand the feeling of a comfortable fit? Players need to feel comfortable. When touching the ball, it should feel like a second skin. I always say, and though it's impossible, I'd really love to be able to play barefoot.

If you could play barefoot with studs, that would be the most perfect experience, and our product gets infinitely close to that feeling. The most important thing is that the wearer feels at ease, fully ready when putting on the equipment.

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

These boots will be officially launched in 2027. Mbappé has a sample pair, as you saw in training, and he can try them out. But the most important thing is that he feels comfortable. We won't pressure anyone. 2027 is the official launch date.

If he wants to wear them before then, we understand. It requires psychological adaptation for him, but we won't put that kind of pressure on him. He's continuously refining the boots with us, and we're working together so he reaches a comfortable and ready state before he's officially required to wear them in a match.

Will the ball be played better with this technology?

To be honest, I don't know. I don't play football anymore, and I can't match Mbappé's testing intensity. You and I can try the product, but for him, combined with his running style, explosiveness, and physical talent, it's a completely different matter.

The core is his feel—taking the product to a new level, with a great team behind it. I have to praise the team for completing the product development, signing Mbappé, and presenting the boot solution in about ten months. That speed is incredible.

The team's efforts in completing this entire product line deserve full recognition. As you said, it's a big deal. We're entering a huge market, but we'll follow our own path, not trends.

We have our own philosophy: unity, cohesion. Both Mbappé and Sydney are involved in product development. What happens next, we'll have to wait and see. Of course, there are still some plans that haven't been announced publicly.

Appearing with Mbappé is truly bold. When I first walked into this building, the boot prototype didn't even exist yet. This was originally just a dream we imagined, and now it's becoming reality.

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

Honestly, it wasn't just that which moved me. Being able to communicate with him and get him to listen to our proposal already showed that we weren't far from our goal. His willingness to pay attention to the products we're offering proves that we're on the right track. At the same time, we must also give him a voice. We're talking about Mbappé; 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 decide how it's used? His achievements in football fully deserve that respect.

When he started listening to our ideas, that's when you can't help but wonder: can this really happen? But everything is just beginning. We need to ensure that all aspects proceed smoothly. There will be obstacles ahead; nothing is perfect.

As long as we stay united... Someone asked me earlier what my future dream is. For me, a brand needs a core, a philosophy, and inner conviction. I don't want to let the team down, and I hope he'll be satisfied.

When something carries positive energy and people feel that sincerity, they come to love it. Everything must come from the heart. What I value most is not letting Mbappé down.

As long as he's happy and plays well on the pitch, everyone will be satisfied. I think this is huge news for the football world. It's extremely difficult for a top-level player to switch brands after signing a long-term sponsorship contract.

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

It all started when we had our first conversation and realized he was interested. Everyone involved in the project looked at each other. There's one thing I want everyone to understand: yes, Tobias communicated with me, my agent was present too, and we were connecting with Mbappé and other relevant professionals simultaneously, but I can sleep well at night.

I can go home and rest normally. But a large number of employees in this building have to work late, under enormous pressure, refining the boots, constantly deliberating over solutions, worrying about whether he'll like them, and continuously tweaking details. These people deserve to be recognized.

It's the entire technical team that realized this product and made the collaboration with Mbappé possible. People talk a lot about the glamorous stories, but if the product itself isn't excellent, nothing can be discussed. That's what's crucial.

Traduzido por IA.

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