PokerStars adds Juan Sebastian Veron to Team

If you’re both a poker player and a sports fan, your attention is sharply divided right now. While the World Series of Poker continues in Las Vegas, the world’s biggest sporting event – the World Cup – is just hitting the knockout stages in South Africa. Perhaps noticing this divided attention, PokerStars has added Argentina’s international football star Juan Sebastian Veron to their team, bringing a little bit of football (or soccer, if you prefer) to the poker table. Veron will be serving as an International Ambassador, and is expected to be used to target South American audiences – especially in his native Argentina.

For those unfamiliar with the 35-year-old Argentine midfielder, Veron currently serves as the captain for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine domestic league. In earlier years, he’s played for top flight clubs around the world, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Boca Juniors. He has also scored nine goals in 72 caps for his national side. At the moment, he’s currently in South Africa with Argentina, making his fourth World Cup appearance for his country. Argentina is through to the knockout stage, and will face Mexico in the next round.

Veron has already appeared in commercials for PokerStars related to the Latin American Poker Tour, and should become a more regular fixture in advertising in that corner of the world.

"It is truly a pleasure for us to have Verón as an Ambassador for PokerStars.net", said Sarne Lightman, PokerStars Marketing Director Latin America. "His sporting and competitive spirit embodies the values of our brand and we feel very proud that this great soccer player decided to represent the number one poker site in the world."

 While it’s not known yet whether “La Brujita” will be making any appearances on the Latin American Poker Tour, it’s probably a safe bet to assume PokerStars will want to use him both in person and online in addition to featuring Veron in their advertising campaigns. The next LAPT event is scheduled for Florianopolis, Brazil in August.