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

The sportswear market is complex and highly competitive, and you signed Kylian Mbappé...

To be honest, it feels great to be able to attract a player and strengthen the brand. Being part of all this, Kylian Mbappé is the first, and I believe he is the best player in the world. Having him as our first brand ambassador is undoubtedly an amazing start.

How did you manage that?

First, you have to present a product that attracts players. Look at these shoes and how they're made: the entire process takes only three minutes. Thermoplastic fibers are continuously injected both inside and outside the shoe.

There's a robotic arm with a shoe last and midsole at the end, which rotates. You see the thermoplastic fibers layered to create the shoe. Three minutes, and the finished product weighs only 30 grams. This will be the lightest football boot on the market.

And it's white...

Yes, no joke. When you meet a player like Kylian Mbappé, you need to show him something tangible. If you just talk about future plans...

But in the sportswear industry, survival is very difficult. It's crowded with giants: Adidas, Nike, and other major brands...

That's not the main point. I've spoken with some of his teammates, and with all humility and respect, we just want to do what we do best. Of course, it's competitive—everyone knows that—but we focus on what we do well, leveraging Kylian Mbappé to make an impact.

Is Kylian Mbappé deeply involved in the development?

He will be involved in developing the boots—whether it's the materials or the entire product he'll use and that relates to him. We stay true to our philosophy: committed to creating high-quality products. We talk about Kylian Mbappé and how the product is game-changing, but when it comes to impact on women's football, that's an undeniable topic.

What investments are you planning in women's football?

Mostly, female players wear men's shoes, which don't fit their feet properly. So we plan to work closely with Sam Kerr to develop boots tailored for female players. Of course, Kylian Mbappé's arrival is hugely significant.

But our impact in football must encompass women's football, which is crucial on a global level. That's our starting point. Kylian Mbappé has arrived, and Sam Kerr has joined us. We want to create value for football together.

When talking about football, women's football must be included. The 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil is equally important. Kylian Mbappé and Sam Kerr are working together to advance this sport. When discussing the pitch, women's football is an essential part.

Does technology matter for footballers?

Do you understand what it feels like to wear something comfortable? Players need to feel comfortable. When you touch the ball, it should feel like a second skin. I often say that, though it's impossible, I truly wish I could play barefoot.

If you could play with studs at the bottom of the sole but feel like you're barefoot, that would be a perfect experience. Our product gets infinitely close to that feeling. What matters most is that the user feels comfortable and is in the best condition when wearing the equipment.

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

These boots will officially launch in 2027. Kylian Mbappé has a prototype, as you've seen in training, and he can try it. But what matters most is that he feels comfortable. We won't pressure anyone. 2027 is the official release date.

If he wants to wear them before then, we understand. It takes time for psychological adaptation, but we won't push him. He continues to refine the boots with us, and we're working together to make him feel comfortable and ready to play before he has to wear them officially.

Will the player perform better with this technology?

To be honest, I don't know. I don't play anymore. I can't test it with Kylian Mbappé's intensity. You and I can try the product, but for him, combined with his running style, explosive power, and physical abilities, it's entirely different.

The essence is how he feels. Elevating the product to the next level with a large team behind it. I must praise the team that developed the product, signed Kylian Mbappé, and presented a boot solution in just ten months. That speed is incredible.

All credit goes to the team's effort in making this product a reality. As you said, it's huge. We're entering a massive market, but we'll stick to our approach. We won't follow trends.

We have our own philosophy: unity and harmony, with Kylian Mbappé and Sam Kerr involved in product development. We'll see what happens next. Of course, there are plans not yet announced publicly.

Launching with Kylian Mbappé feels truly bold. When I first came to this building, the shoe prototype didn't exist yet. This was a dream we imagined, and now it's becoming reality.

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

To be honest, it's not just about that. Simply being able to communicate with him and getting him to listen to our proposal shows we're on the right track. His willingness to consider the product we presented proves we're moving in the right direction. At the same time, we must listen to him. We're talking about Kylian Mbappé; he knows what he needs to wear and what equipment he requires.

Why not involve him in designing his equipment and deciding how to use it? His success in football deserves this full respect.

When he started listening to our concept, you couldn't help but wonder: Could this actually be real? But everything is just beginning. We need to ensure every step goes smoothly. There will be obstacles ahead. Nothing goes perfectly.

As long as we remain united... Someone once asked me what my future dream is. For me, a brand needs substance, philosophy, and internal belief. I don't want to let the team down, and I hope he'll be satisfied.

When something has positive energy, people feel that authenticity and start to love it. Everything must come from the heart. What matters most to me is not letting Kylian Mbappé down.

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

Yes, it is difficult... but not impossible.

Everything started with our first conversation. When we sensed his interest, everyone involved in the project looked each other in the eye. One thing I want everyone to understand: yes, Toby and I communicated. My agent was involved, and we connected with Kylian Mbappé and other relevant people simultaneously. But I can sleep peacefully at night.

I can go home and rest normally, but many employees in this building had to work late. They worked under enormous pressure to refine the boots, reviewed solutions repeatedly, worried whether he'd like them, tweaked details constantly. These people deserve to be seen.

The entire technical team made this product real and facilitated the collaboration with Kylian Mbappé. People talk about many compelling stories, but if the product itself isn't excellent, nothing else matters. That's what's crucial.

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