Putting soda in front of one of the world's best athletes probably isn't a good idea.
Coca-Cola learned that the hard way after Cristiano Ronaldo removed two bottles of the popular soda as he sat down to meet with the media on Monday in Budapest before Portugal's Euro 2020 Group F opener against Hungary.
Ronaldo looked troubled when he saw Coca-Cola in front of him and moved the glass bottles out of the camera frame. He held up a bottle of water instead.
Do NOT put Coca Cola in front of Cristiano Ronaldo
— Goal (@goal) June 15, 2021
This is absolutely brilliant pic.twitter.com/bw9FYlTOI4
According to ESPN's Adriana Garcia, Ronaldo's removal of the Coca-Cola bottles caused the company's market value to drop by $4 billion.
Coca-Cola later responded in a statement, saying that "everyone is entitled to their drink preferences" with different "tastes and needs." A Euro 2020 spokesperson added that without support from brands like Coca-Cola, "we could not organise a tournament with such success for players and fans, nor invest in the future of football at all levels."
After watching Ronaldo move the soda out of the camera frame, France midfielder Paul Pogba removed a bottle of Heineken beer that was in front of him at a news conference following France's 1-0 win over Germany on Tuesday.
Other athletes around the world also took note of Ronaldo's gesture, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, who wouldn't be caught dead drinking Coca-Cola.
It’s almost like the veterans know what they’re doing.... @Cristiano @TB12sports https://t.co/pJ0y1BtCRt
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) June 14, 2021
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