The Euro 2020 is producing breathtaking football action on
the field but there have been a few off-the-field incidents too that have made
headlines. After Cristiano Ronaldo's gesture of removing Coca-Cola bottles
during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Hungary showdown, Paul Pogba
has done something similar at the post-match press conference after the Germany
clash.
Pogba, attending the presser after France defeated Germany
1-0 in their opening Euro 2020 match on Tuesday, spotted a Heineken beer bottle
placed on the table in front of him. He picked up the bottle and placed it
under the table. There were a few Coca-Cola bottles placed too but unlike
Ronaldo, Pogba had no problem with the aerated soft drinks.
Pogba, who is a devout Muslim, refrains from consuming and
even endorsing alcoholic products. He is the second one to make such a gesture
towards a sponsor of the tournament. While it was the religious belief that saw
Pogba remove the Heineken bottle, Ronaldo had done so with Coca-Cola due to
health reasons.
A spokesperson of the tournament had even put light on the
matter, explaining why these bottles are kept on the table. “Players are
offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our
press conferences,” a spokesperson had said.
Will Pogba's gesture cost Heineken too?
Both Pogba and Ronaldo are among the biggest superstars in
world football. After Ronaldo snubbed Coca-Cola at the presser, the
beverage-maker's brand valuation reportedly sank by USD 4 billion. Coca-Cola's
stock prices immediately went down after Ronaldo's gesture and the same could
happen with Heineken. Coca-Cola's stocks had immediately gone down from $56.10
to $55.22, taking a 1.6% dip after the Ronaldo incident at the press
conference.
Though Ronaldo's popularity and reach across the globe, in
comparison, is way bigger than that of Pogba's, the Frenchman is also a hugely
popular player. Pogba is considered among the finest midfielders in the world
and plays club football for Manchester United, one of the most popular and
successful clubs in Europe.