adidasfootball/via Twitter
By MADISON HARTMAN
Passion and heart are key characteristics of pro athletes but animal rights activists in Germany believe an adidas advertisement - featuring athletes holding bloodied cow hearts - takes the idea too far.
In a series of ads promoting the upcoming World Cup, athletes are seen clutching the bleeding heart with the tagline 'During the World Cup, I will give my heart to the cause.'
The ad leaked on the Instagram account of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, one of the athletes taking part in the campaign along with Spain striker Diego Costa, Holland midfielder Arjen Robben and Brazil defender Dani Alves.
adidasfootball/via Twitter
A spokesman for Four Paws, a German animal rights group, spoke out against the German sports company's decision to Yahoo News.
'He says he'd give his heart but it wasn't his heart was it? It was the heart of an innocent animal. If this was supposed to be some sort of PR stunt, then it misses the point.'
Podolski defended the ad following the backlash.
adidasfootball/via Twitter
'I don't find it disgusting. It just shows my promise to give my heart in our bid to win the World Cup,' he said.
The version featuring Costa is set to run on the cover of the Spanish magazine Marca, out this week.
Title : Adidas World Cup ad featuring soccer stars holding bloody cow hearts angers ...
Description : adidasfootball/via Twitter By MADISON HARTMAN Passion and heart are key characteristics of pro athletes but animal rights activists in Germa...