Kylian Mbappé is heading back into Real Madrid training, but the sharper story is the reported end of his long Nike tie-up. Mbappe stopped wearing Nike on 31 July after being associated with the brand since age eight, and the move now sits alongside talk of a new agreement that would be about more than boots.

Thibaud Vezirian told madriduniversal.com: "Everything is moving very quickly for an 'unexpected' brand to become Kylian Mbappe's equipment supplier. The agreement is being finalised. It is a major change."

The sponsor deal is the real change

Vezirian also said: "Kylian Mbappe will undoubtedly benefit from his own brand and from a stake in the company." That is the part that makes this feel different from a normal equipment switch. The reported new structure would give Mbappe his own brand and a stake in the company, rather than just a standard boot deal.

There is still a gap between being close to a deal and having one signed. The wording around the move has stayed in that middle ground, with one report saying the agreement is being finalised and another framing his return to training as tomorrow or Monday.

Real Madrid get their stars back too

The training return is part of a bigger Real Madrid reset. Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ibrahima Konaté are expected back at Valdebebas on Monday, while Marc Cucurella is expected a day or two later after a longer summer following Spain’s World Cup triumph.

Mbappe’s numbers help explain why Madrid want him back quickly. He has made 8 appearances in 2026, scored 10 goals and produced 14 total goal contributions. That is a lot of output to lose from the side, even in pre-season, and it leaves Madrid with a clear commercial focal point as well as a football one.

Real Madrid are still listed 16th in La Liga before the season gets going, and they have friendlies against Deportivo La Coruna and Schalke 04 before the league campaign begins. The off-field brand change is the more striking development, but the football timetable is moving at the same pace.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →