When international soccer superstar Mays became the center of discussion in Hong Kong, his influence spread so quickly that the Argentine national team, which was scheduled to play a warm-up match in China in March, was forced to change its itinerary and play in the United States instead. Meanwhile, Mez's sponsor, Cudi Coffee, has also announced a break with him, cleverly obscuring the 36-year-old star's face in the latest promotional posters with the Chinese character "福" (福字) and "春联 (春联)", a Chinese character for spring.
Cudi Coffee, an emerging Chinese coffee chain brand founded only in 2022, managed to become a global sponsor of the national team by signing a deal with the Argentinean Football Association in June last year, aiming to quickly raise brand awareness. However, the images of players such as Meis, which were clearly displayed on large Argentinean players' posters in its stores, have recently been cleverly obscured by lucky spring couplets, seemingly in fear that the controversial incident with Meis will have a negative impact on the brand's image.
