Cristiano Ronaldo Removing Coca-Cola Bottles at Euro 2020 Caused Massive Financial Headaches to Drinks Giant
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo caused massive financial headaches to Coca-Cola after he removed the bottles of the iconic brand at a press conference for Euro 2020.
The football superstar's stunt has coincided with a $4 billion fall in the share price of the drinks giant. The Portugal captain is known to be a fitness enthusiast and made it clear how he felt about the carbonated soft drink that was served in front of his seat, according to The Guardian.
Coca-Cola's Shares Drop After Cristiano Ronaldo's Gesture at Euro 2020 Press Conference
Cristiano Ronaldo's gesture made a significant impact on Coca-Cola's market value. The drinks giant's share price dropped from $56.10 to $55.22 almost immediately after the football superstar's stunt, a 1.6 percent dip.
Apart from the share price, the market value of Coca-Cola went down to $238 billion - a drop of $4 billion from $242 billion.
Cristiano Ronaldo was speaking at a press conference ahead of Portugal's game against Hungary on Monday when the Coca-Cola bottles were placed in front of his seat.
The 36-year-old football superstar removed the soft drink bottles from view and placed a bottle of water in front of him. He then told the crowd to drink "agua" or water instead.
Do NOT put Coca Cola in front of Cristiano Ronaldo đ
— GOAL (@goal) June 15, 2021
This is absolutely brilliant đ€Ł pic.twitter.com/bw9FYlTOI4
Although Coca-Cola was one of the major sponsors of Euro 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo did not budge in removing the Coke bottles.
"Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences, a Euros spokesperson told The Guardian.
Despite what happened, Coca-Cola did not retaliate against what the football superstar did. Instead, the drinks giant noted that "everyone is entitled to their drink preference."
It was not the first time that Cristiano Ronaldo has targeted the fizzy drink. Speaking after being named Player of the Century in the 2020 Globe Soccer Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo noted that it irritated him that his son Cristiano Jr. likes to drink Coke.
"I'm hard with him sometimes because he drinks Coca-Cola and Fanta sometimes," said Ronaldo, adding that he fights with him when he eats chips and fries.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal Wins Against Hungary in UEFA Euro 2020
Cristiano Ronaldo did not back down against Hungary during their match on Tuesday, June 15, at UEFA Euro 2020.
Portugal won with a score of 3-0 against Hungary. Portugal's two goals were netted by Ronaldo, marking the captain's 105th and 106th goals at the international level for his team. Ronaldo's first goal ensured that he became Euro 2020's record goal scorer.
"It's an obscene record. I mean 106 goals for his country is absolutely ridiculous," said Gerry Neville, who was working on the game as a pundit on ITV Sport.
Cristiano Ronaldo is three goals shy of becoming the all-time top scorer in men's international football set by Iran's Ali Daei, who netted 109.
WATCH: Ronaldo Becomes All-Time Leading Goal Scorer at the Euros - From TSN
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