GGPoker has signed Chilean soccer icon Arturo Vidal as its latest model ambassador. The deal, confirmed by way of GGPoker’s Spanish-language social media channels round April 12, makes Vidal the operator’s first Chilean consultant and its first lively skilled footballer.
The announcement has been unusually quiet. GGPoker revealed a brief video on its @ggpokeres YouTube and Fb accounts however issued no formal English-language press launch. For a full breakdown of the platform and its present offers, see our GGPoker evaluate and rakeback breakdown.
As of late April, Vidal doesn’t but seem on the official GGTeam ambassador web page. Chilean poker outlet PokerChile reported that negotiations had been underway since February, with the formal announcement touchdown on Sunday, April 12.
Who Is Arturo Vidal?
Vidal is without doubt one of the most adorned Chilean footballers in historical past. At his peak between roughly 2011 and 2018, he was thought of one of many world’s greatest box-to-box midfielders, incomes recognition on the UEFA Greatest Participant shortlist in 2015.
He performed central roles at 4 of Europe’s greatest golf equipment: Juventus, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, and Inter Milan. He received league titles in any respect 4, gathering 4 Serie A crowns, three Bundesliga titles, and a La Liga medal.
On the worldwide stage, Vidal was a cornerstone of Chile’s golden era. He helped the nationwide staff win back-to-back Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016, scoring his penalty within the 2015 last shootout in opposition to Argentina.
He briefly retired from worldwide obligation in October 2017 after Chile didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup, then reversed the choice inside 24 hours. He stays lively at Colo-Colo in Chile’s high division with a contract working via December 2026.
Vidal’s Poker Historical past: Not a Vacationer
Vidal just isn’t an entire stranger to the felt. In August 2019, he entered the €25,000 Single-Day Excessive Curler on the PokerStars EPT Barcelona cease. It was reportedly his first ever poker event.
He completed fifth out of 70 entries for €134,460. His then FC Barcelona teammate Gerard Piqué completed 2nd in the identical occasion for €352,950, with Spain’s Juan Pardo taking the title for €491,600.
That continues to be Vidal’s solely tracked consequence on Hendon Mob, however a last desk in a €25K subject in your first attempt is a robust debut by any normal.
What the Signing Means for GGPoker in Latin America
Vidal slots into an increasing Latin American roster that already spans six nations. GGPoker has been steadily constructing its Spanish and Portuguese-language presence via a mixture of poker professionals and regional content material creators.
The timing is deliberate. GGPoker is working a football-themed promotion referred to as La Fiesta del Fútbol timed to construct momentum forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in america, Canada, and Mexico.
The operator can also be internet hosting the WSOP Circuit Montevideo satellites beginning at $5, its first WSOPC cease in Latin America. That occasion runs Could 18 to 25 at On line casino Carrasco in Uruguay.
One essential element the preliminary protection has not emphasised: Chile didn’t qualify for the 2026 World Cup. La Roja completed final within the 10-team CONMEBOL qualifying group after a 2-0 loss in Bolivia. Vidal won’t be representing his nation on the event.
That makes the signing much less about Chile on the World Cup and extra about reaching the broader Latin American soccer viewers. Vidal’s title carries weight throughout the continent from his years at Juventus, Bayern, and Barcelona, no matter Chile’s event standing.
Vidal’s Monitor Report with Betting Manufacturers
GGPoker just isn’t Vidal’s first enterprise into playing partnerships. He has fronted campaigns for 3 different manufacturers since 2023, with blended outcomes.
The Juega con el King episode is essentially the most notable. The Chilean soccer federation investigated a possible breach of participant conduct codes, and the contract between Vidal and the platform was terminated within the aftermath. The on line casino continues to function with out his picture or branding.
Vidal is much from the one footballer to cross into the poker world. PokerStars has traditionally been essentially the most lively on this house, signing Neymar Jr. (who stays a cultural ambassador), Cristiano Ronaldo (2015 to 2018), and Ronaldo Nazário (who returned in 2022).
888poker briefly signed Uruguay’s Luis Suárez in 2014 earlier than his contract was terminated after 44 days. For extra on celebrities who’ve crossed into poker, see our full information.
What Comes Subsequent
The quiet nature of the rollout raises a query: when will GGPoker make a proper English-language announcement? Vidal nonetheless doesn’t seem on the GGTeam web page, and the operator’s primary weblog has not revealed something concerning the signing.
With WSOP 2026 approaching on Could 26 and GGPoker’s $300M GG World Pageant already introduced, the Vidal deal is probably going only one piece of a bigger LatAm advertising push heading into the summer time.
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