Why does Ronaldo refuse carbonated soft drinks?

If a bottle of Coca-Cola is placed next to a football, any fan of the sport will likely remember the incident between Ronaldo and the famous soft drink brand during Euro 2020. Despite scoring five goals and being the top scorer of the tournament, the Portuguese superstar also knows how to draw media and fan attention with his actions on the sidelines of the pitch.
 
Ronaldo's refusal to endorse Coca-Cola sparked varied reactions in the media, raising the question of whether soft drinks are generally avoided by players.

The story between Ronaldo and Coca-Cola

How did Ronaldo clash with Coca-Cola at Euro 2020?

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During a press conference ahead of the Hungary vs. Portugal match at Euro 2020, an incident occurred involving Ronaldo and Coca-Cola. Initially, everything appeared to be proceeding as usual when Ronaldo entered the room. However, he proceeded to remove two Coca-Cola bottles, which were clearly marked with the sponsor's label, from in front of the camera. Simultaneously, he stated "agua," which translates to "water" in Portuguese, implying that he prefers to drink mineral water instead of Coca-Cola. It is believed that Ronaldo, who prioritizes maintaining his fitness and performance, avoids soft drinks as part of his commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

The attraction of the "war" between Ronaldo and Coca-Cola

Several renowned mineral water brands, including Evian, capitalized on the popularity of the Portuguese footballer to promote their products. They shared a video titled "Ronaldo vs. Coca-Cola" on Twitter and accompanied it with the hashtags #Stayhydrated, #DrinkTrue, and #CR7. The video highlighted the potential health risks associated with consuming sugary drinks like Coca-Cola.

World Health Organization (WHO) 's campaign about imiting the intake of sugar in one's diet
 

This incident was also utilized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by limiting the intake of sugar in one's diet.

Ronaldo and a healthy lifestyle

Few players in the world of football have garnered as much admiration for their physical attributes and commitment to their profession as Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal and Al Nassr player possesses an exceptional range of athletic abilities, including lightning-fast speed and agility, elite aerial prowess, and remarkable power.
 
However, Ronaldo's current muscular build is a far cry from the lanky adolescent who first joined Manchester United from Sporting in 2003. The transformation is remarkable.

Ronaldo always follows the healthy life style

How does Cristiano Ronaldo train? To begin with, it's essential to warm up before exercising to minimize the chance of injury. When at the gym, Ronaldo divides his workout routine between cardiovascular exercises such as running and rowing as well as weightlifting. According to Ronaldo, it's crucial to "mix it up" to keep the routine engaging and guarantee all body parts are targeted, leading to improvements in both strength and endurance. On the field, high-intensity drills are the primary focus to simulate match scenarios. It's important to note that Ronaldo's workouts are not limited to his training sessions.
 
Ronaldo's dedication to his diet is no surprise. He has been working with a personal dietician since his time at Real Madrid and eats six small meals a day, with each meal spaced out every three to four hours. His diet consists mainly of lean proteins, fruits, and fish, with his favorite fish being swordfish, sea bass, and sea bream. Ronaldo's go-to meal is bacalhau a braz, which is a blend of cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes, and scrambled eggs. When dining out, he often orders steak and salad and always insists on fresh food rather than frozen. For breakfast, Ronaldo enjoys cheese, ham, low-fat yogurt, plenty of fruit, and avocado toast. 

Other players with carbonated soft drinks

Do players like to drink carbonated soft drinks?

Yes, many players have a preference for carbonated drinks alongside healthy foods such as yogurt and bread. This is not considered taboo in sports, and the number of athletes consuming Coca-Cola and other carbonated drinks is increasing. Such drinks can provide positive energy and help increase endurance during high-intensity workouts.
 
Researchers at the Australian Institute of Sport found that six out of 11 cycling teams participating in the US championship regularly supplemented with Coca-Cola during the race.
 
In football, Granit Xhaka was seen drinking Coca-Cola openly at Euro 2020, just before entering the penalty shootout against France. He used the drink to boost his teammates' spirits and energize himself.

Xhaka drunk Coca Cola after the winning France at EURO 2020
 

Even after Switzerland secured their spot in the next round, Xhaka was seen happily sipping Coca-Cola to celebrate. It's unclear if this was a subtle jab at Ronaldo's recent actions or if the Arsenal midfielder simply has a habit of consuming carbonated drinks during matches.
 
Messi is another surprising athlete with a preference for carbonated soft drinks. According to former Barca coach Carles Rexach, the Argentine superstar was once addicted to Coca-Cola as a young player. Fortunately, Pep Guardiola was able to intervene and help Messi break the habit, which ultimately saved his career.
 
However, breaking an addiction is never an easy feat. There have been instances where Messi has been caught discreetly indulging in the beverage.

Is carbonated soft a harmful drink for athletes or players?

Carbonated soft drinks are often a popular choice for quenching thirst after sports activities. However, they are not considered beneficial drinks. According to Vandana Sheth, a representative of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the rapid rise and fall of sugar levels in the body caused by the added sugars in carbonated drinks can lead to fatigue and even stomach upset in athletes and players in the long run. Moreover, carbonated drinks are known to contribute to weight gain, which is why many athletes and players avoid them.
 
Despite this, if consumed in moderation and not abused, carbonated soft drinks can provide a source of energy for athletes and players.

Fun "study" about COCA-COLA AND FOOTBALL

Ronaldinho forgot that he had a commercial deal with Coca-Cola

As a follower of football, many of us are familiar with the interesting story involving Coca-Cola and the legendary Ronaldinho. During his heyday, the Brazilian star was the face of the Coca-Cola brand. However, in a press conference, he forgot his crucial obligation and calmly drank from a Pepsi can in front of him. This was a big mistake, as Pepsi is one of Coca-Cola's biggest rivals.
 
Due to this mistake, Ronaldinho suffered significant consequences. Not only was his contract with Coca-Cola terminated, but he also had to pay compensation of up to 7.2 billion RP.

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