• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola loses $4 billion in market value after Cristiano Ronaldo shuns Coke

By
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 16, 2021, 12:30 PM ET
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo at Budapest for the European Championship. His shun of sponsor Coca-Cola sent the company’s stock price plummeting.Robert Michael—Picture Alliance/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo removed two bottles of Coca-Cola from a Euro 2020 press conference Monday. At the same time, the soft drink and snack juggernaut lost $4 billion in market value.

Ronaldo, captain of Portugal’s national soccer team and a health advocate, removed the glass bottles from view and asked instead for water in Portuguese, according to ESPN.

Following the scene, Coca-Cola saw its share price drop 1.6% to $55.22 a share. The company’s market cap dropped to $238 billion from $242 billion.

On Wednesday, the soft drink company’s stock price continued to fall in early intraday trading, briefly reaching $55.05, 2.5% lower than its 52-week high.

Ronaldo’s actions, which occurred ahead of the Portugal’s match in Budapest against Hungary, were brushed off by Coca-Cola, who in a statement told ESPN that “everyone is entitled to their drink preferences” with different “tastes and needs.”

ESPN reported that players are offered water, Coca-Cola, and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar during press conferences, according to Euro 2020 organizers. Coca-Cola is an official sponsor of the tournament, which brings together national soccer teams across Europe. Its partnership with UEFA started in 1988.

Ronaldo went on to score two goals Tuesday as Portugal swept Hungary and continued its search to move out of the group stage of the tournament.

Correction and update, June 17, 2021: This post has been updated to correct spelling on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Author
By Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

 The world’s 500 richest people made more than a quarter trillion yesterday as volatile markets react to fragile Iran war ceasefire
EconomyBillionaires
 The world’s 500 richest people made more than a quarter trillion yesterday as volatile markets react to fragile Iran war ceasefire
By Jacqueline MunisApril 9, 2026
3 hours ago
Only five ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, far below Iran’s pledge as negotiations begin
EnergyIran
Only five ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, far below Iran’s pledge as negotiations begin
By Eva RoytburgApril 9, 2026
5 hours ago
7 best debt relief companies 2026
Personal FinanceLoans
7 best debt relief companies 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 9, 2026
5 hours ago
JFK, jr and Carolyn Bessette walk their dog in New York City.
RetailLevi Strauss
Levi’s 517 jeans sales jump 25% thanks to ‘Love Story’ and the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy effect
By Molly Liebergall and Morning BrewApril 9, 2026
6 hours ago
iran
EnergyFood and drink
A global food emergency: Why the closed Strait of Hormuz puts half the world’s calories at risk
By Aya S. Chacar and The ConversationApril 9, 2026
8 hours ago
Willie Walsh, wearing a blue suit, looks to his right with his mouth slightly open.
EnergyAviation
Jet fuel supply disruptions are comparable to 9/11 and could take months to replenish even if Hormuz Strait is reopening, airline trade group warns
By Sasha RogelbergApril 9, 2026
8 hours ago

Most Popular

The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
Economy
The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
13 hours ago
2 years ago, Saudi Arabia quietly canceled the ‘petrodollar’ deal with America that wired the world economy for 50 years. Then war broke out in Iran
Energy
2 years ago, Saudi Arabia quietly canceled the ‘petrodollar’ deal with America that wired the world economy for 50 years. Then war broke out in Iran
By Fortune EditorsApril 7, 2026
2 days ago
The U.S. had a national debt ‘home run’ in its grasp, says Jamie Dimon. But the government did nothing, and now its best option is crisis management
Economy
The U.S. had a national debt ‘home run’ in its grasp, says Jamie Dimon. But the government did nothing, and now its best option is crisis management
By Fortune EditorsApril 8, 2026
2 days ago
Self-made billionaire MrBeast says his work-life balance is nonexistent and calls it a ‘miracle’ if he works less than 15-hour days: ‘I live to work’
Success
Self-made billionaire MrBeast says his work-life balance is nonexistent and calls it a ‘miracle’ if he works less than 15-hour days: ‘I live to work’
By Fortune EditorsApril 8, 2026
1 day ago
Gen Z doesn't want your full-time job. They want several part-time roles, and it's reshaping the entire workforce
Success
Gen Z doesn't want your full-time job. They want several part-time roles, and it's reshaping the entire workforce
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
17 hours ago
Gen Z workers are so fearful AI will take their job they’re intentionally sabotaging their company’s AI rollout
AI
Gen Z workers are so fearful AI will take their job they’re intentionally sabotaging their company’s AI rollout
By Fortune EditorsApril 8, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.