Pepsi has announced the signing of its latest global ambassador, South Korean footballer Son Heung-min, in a multi-year deal.
The player, also known as Sonny, plays for English Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur and the South Korea national team.
The deal will see the footballer feature in Pepsi’s new EA Sports FC partnership.
Son Heung-min was revealed as an ambassador through Pepsi’s Instagram channel, after he was snapped at the EA Sports FC 24 early access event in London last week, holding up a Pepsi jersey.
The news comes as EA announced its EA Sports FC Pro esports circuit, which favours football clubs over traditional esports organisations.
Son Heung-min commented:
“As a huge gaming fan, it’s a privilege to be part of this epic collaboration with EA Sports FC while teaming up with such a globally revered brand like Pepsi.”
Son Heung-min
“The brand’s commitment to bringing joy, energy, and excitement into people’s lives under its Thirsty for More tagline is something that resonates deeply with me and I see a strong synergy between my values and the aspirations of Pepsi.
“I’m buzzing for the world to see what we’ve got planned in 2023 and beyond.”
Son Heung-min joins other Pepsi players Vini Jr and Leah Williamson after PUBG appearance
Son, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Asian footballers, will join Pepsi’s list of players, including Vini Jr and Leah Williamson, completing Pepsi’s line-up of talent to support its EA Sports FC 24 campaign. Each of Pepsi’s football talents will feature in a range of campaign activities.
Pepsi will be releasing hundreds of millions of co-branded Pepsi Max x EA Sports FC 24 cans and bottles, each emblazoned with a Pepsi Max football talent: Vini Jr, Leah Williamson and Son Heung-min, as mentioned.
Gustavo Reyna, Pepsi’s Senior Director of Global Marketing, added: “Son is one of the most likable players in world football, that’s why it’s a joy to welcome him to the family as our new Pepsi ambassador.
“Pepsi has a rich tradition of teaming up with top talents, and Sonny’s unmistakable enthusiasm for all his pursuits, coupled with his deep affection for gaming, entertainment, and sports, made him the ideal choice to become our latest football ambassador. We’re excited to show the world what we have to offer and we’re delighted to have Son help us on that journey.”
This partnership announcement coincides with Pepsi’s global ‘Thirsty For More’ platform.
Two years ago, self-confessed gamer Son Heung-min was added to PUBG as a playable character.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
