One of the main events recently in the European Championship did not happen on the field, but before the match, at a press conference. Cristiano Ronaldo did not steal attention with what he said, but with what he did. His gesture went viral everywhere.
The 36-year-old moved two bottles of Coca-Cola away from him and then lifted the water bottle, saying in Portuguese "agua" (water), an action aimed at encouraging people to choose water.
'Drink water'
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) June 15, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo removes Coca-Cola bottles at start of #Euro2020 press conference pic.twitter.com/2eBujl9vzk
Coca-Cola's share price fell from $ 56.10 to $ 55.22 almost immediately after Ronaldo's gesture, a 1.6% drop, according to the Guardian. Coca-Cola's market value went from $ 242 billion to $ 238 billion - a drop of $ 4 billion.
Coca-Cola, one of the official sponsors of Euro 2020, responded to a statement by saying that "everyone is entitled to their own drink preferences" with different "tastes and needs".
At first, people on Twitter suggested that Ronaldo may have removed the bottles due to some sponsorship deal with Pepsi, Coca-Cola's main rival, but that is unlikely to be the case. Ronaldo is a fan of healthy living and this is not the first time he has been declared an "enemy" of processed foods and drinks.
"Occasionally, my son drinks Coca Cola or Fanta and eats chips and he knows I don't like it," the footballer said in an interview with his eldest son, Cristiano Junior.
It is not known if UEFA will take any action against Ronaldo for acting against one of the main sponsors.
