Antonio ‘Pollo’ Briseño, a former player for Chivas, sparked controversy when he sent a brief video greeting to notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as ‘El Mencho’, which resurfaced after Cervantes was recently killed.
Antonio ‘Pollo’ Briseño, a professional footballer and former player for Chivas, became embroiled in controversy after a video he recorded in 2022 surfaced online. In this seven-second clip, Briseño extended greetings to Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the infamous leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), known as ‘El Mencho’. This action raised eyebrows, especially following the news of Oseguera's recent death. The video was initially shared on social media and quickly gained traction, leading many to question Briseño's intentions and the implications of his message.
The video was part of Briseño's promotional efforts for the platform Famosos, where users can request personalized messages from celebrities. However, as reports from Associated Press revealed, the viral greeting was taken out of context. The complete original recording lasted 27 seconds and did not solely focus on the greeting to Oseguera. This clarification highlighted that the clip’s brevity led to misunderstandings about Briseño's intentions at the time, as it seemed to glamorize an individual linked to organized crime.
The situation underscores the complex intersection of sports, media, and criminal networks in Mexico. As public figures are scrutinized for their associations, this incident serves as a reminder for athletes and celebrities to navigate their public personas carefully, particularly when engaging with controversial figures. The fallout from such actions can have lasting implications, both for their careers and for public perceptions of their character.
