There is no shortage of conversations about getting a bag and staying in it to earn more coins. But what happens when someone loses that bag? Former Brazilian soccer player Ronaldo de Assis Moreira — more commonly known as Ronaldinho — knows firsthand.
Throughout his career, he played in seven soccer clubs across 15 seasons. He reportedly earned “FIFA World Player 2004, 2005 and third 2006; Best Player in the World FIFA/FIFPro 2005, 2006; America’s Best Player (El País) 2013.”
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As a result of his impressive career and athletic ability, he was a well-sought-out player and earned endorsement deals. However, with great fame comes great responsibility, where Ronaldinho faced some trouble.
During a 2012 press conference, the then 32-year-old drank a Pepsi. The gag? He had an endorsement deal with Coca-Cola, now a thing of the past because of the infamous sip.
The Infamous Press Conference
According to Sports Illustrated, the former soccer star reportedly had a $750,000 endorsement deal with Atlanta-based beverage giant Coca-Cola.
Although the details were not disclosed, it is rather typical that influencers cannot be seen using competing products.
The former soccer player was speaking to the press at an athletic club he was a part of, Atletico Mineiro. As part of the setup, two visible and reachable cans of Pepsi were visible.
At the moment of speaking, the Brazilian athlete took a sip out of one of those cans, and the financial implications were massive.
Quick Action
Coke was not having it and ended its deal with Ronaldinho soon after, which was scheduled to last until 2014.
“Coca-Cola recognizes the career and the value of Ronaldinho,” the company said in a statement. “However, it has become impossible to continue the partnership due to recent developments.”
Losing the endorsement was claimed to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, and Coca-Cola marketing chief Marcelo Pontes confirmed this to O Estado de São Paulo, a Brazilian news outlet.
“The fact that the player has appeared with a can of Pepsi was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Pontes told O Estado de Sao Paulo.
The Plans Of Today
Today, Ronaldinho is involved in business ventures like Nooke, a sponsorship and development firm, and he’s the co-founder of Footsider, an “application that facilitates and digitizes recruitment in the world of football.”
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And despite his misfortune with Coca-Cola, his lucrative career and business ties have earned Ronaldinho a fortune of $90 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
