A brief video clip, which captures superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo consuming a soda drink in the tunnel area before Portugal’s national football team faced a 2-0 defeat against Ireland last week, has ignited significant interest and discussion among fans globally. This footage has sparked a renewed debate focusing on Ronaldo’s previous public endorsements of healthy lifestyles, particularly his well-known stance against sugary beverages during the Euro 2020 tournament.
The incident occurred prior to a UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match, where Portugal ultimately suffered a 2-0 loss to Ireland in their Group F encounter. The recently uploaded video, which has quickly gained viral traction across social media platforms, distinctly shows Ronaldo taking a can of soda from his teammate, Joao Felix, and drinking from it just moments before heading out to the pitch for the pre-match warm-up session. This particular action has intensified discussions regarding the athlete’s public image and his consistent promotion of health-conscious choices, especially given his prior actions concerning sugary beverages during the European Championship in 2020.
Fan reactions to the video have been varied and passionate. Some supporters have openly criticized the Al Nassr player, suggesting that he has disregarded his own personal discipline regarding beverage consumption. Conversely, others argue that the incident is minor and does not undermine his commitment to advocating for health awareness, a cause the former Real Madrid star has championed. A third group of Ronaldo fans has stepped forward to defend the former Manchester United and Juventus forward, asserting that the image is unlikely to have a major negative influence on younger generations who admire and aspire to emulate him.
During the Euro 2020 press conference held in Budapest, Hungary, Ronaldo famously removed bottles of Coca-Cola from his immediate vicinity before addressing reporters, emphasizing that drinking pure water is paramount for good health. This highly publicized gesture garnered immense praise from fans worldwide, inspiring many to adopt his recommendation. Several other football players were also reported to have followed the lead of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The recent video showing Ronaldo drinking soda has rapidly amassed millions of views and continues to attract widespread attention. The footage was reportedly captured while the Portuguese national team was preparing for their warm-up exercises before their match against Ireland. It is also worth noting that during the game itself, the Portuguese football icon received a red card and was sent off after an elbowing incident involving an Irish player, occurring when his team was already trailing 2-0. This marked Ronaldo’s first red card in international play.
As of now, no definitive source has come forward to officially confirm whether the video clip genuinely depicts the player, who holds the record for the most goals scored in football history with 953 goals to date, or if it is a fabricated video intended to tarnish his reputation. Nevertheless, the video continues to be widely shared and remains a subject of ongoing debate and discussion across various platforms.
