VIDEO: After Ronaldo and Coca-Cola, Pogba removes beer bottle from Euro 2020 press conference

Gulf Today Report

Following in the footsteps of Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo, France midfielder Paul Pogba takes umbrage with the brand of bottle sitting in front of him at the post-match press conference following France's 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday.

Pogba removes a bottle of non-alcoholic Heineken beer from the lectern at the start of the conference, echoing Ronaldo after he replaced Coca-Cola bottles with a bottle of water on Monday.

Pogba, a practising Muslim, removed the bottle when he sat down to speak to the media after he was named ‘Man of the Match’ in France’s 1-0 Group F win over Germany.

Ronaldo left the top echelons of the Coca-Cola company red-faced with his remarks on the universal drink at the news conference.

According to a report, a video showed that after taking his seat during a press conference, the former Real Madrid superstar picked up two bottles of Coca-Cola which were already laid out before him and said “Water. Coca-Cola…”

He shoved the two bottles aside and grabbed a bottle of water, telling people at home which of the drinks was a healthy choice.

But what Ronaldo may not have realised is the huge financial impact he would have on Coca-Cola with those words.

On the face of it, this gesture would seem harmless, but this small move had a huge impact on the brand’s fortunes. Its shares were worth $56.1, but by the time Ronaldo and his Portugal boss Fernando Santos left their seats at the press conference, the shares had dropped to $55.2 each.

The 1.6% drop in share price meant a loss in $4billion in terms of company worth.

Ronaldo may have been trying to make a point on good health by advocating drinking water, but took the fizz out of the image of the much-loved beverage in the bargain.