Coca-Cola’s shares fell by Ksh.431.2 billion after Portugal and Juventus football star Cristiano Ronaldo removed two of the company’s bottles during a press conference at the ongoing European Championship tournament.
Coca-Cola’s share price dipped by 1.6 percent from Ksh. 6,036.71 (US$56.1) to Ksh. 5,928.91 (US$55.22) after the stunt.
Cristiano then went ahead to hold a bottle of water to encourage people to drink more water.
The former Manchester United icon was giving his pre-game presser before Portugal’s Group F game against Hungary in Budapest.
Also Read:
- Coca Cola mulls exiting Africa
- Airtel Africa taps former Coca-Cola boss Olusegun Ogunsanya as new CEO
- The businesses Dr. Chris Kirubi owned
Following the incident, Coca-Cola which is one of the tournament’s official sponsors said “everyone is entitled to their drink preferences” with different “tastes and needs”.
A tournament spokesman said “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences.”
The football icon’s actions who is the most followed athlete on social media platforms caused an online uproar with others going back to an advert promoting the 2006 World Cup in Germany that showed the Portugal skipper promoting Coca-Cola.
The Portuguese star who turned 36 in February has always attributed his fitness to quality diet.
French and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba followed suit, removing a Heineken beer bottle after France’s win over Germany.
