Viral clip of Ronaldo drinking soda sparks controversy

By Hoang Nguyen November 16, 2025 | 10:40 pm PT

A short clip of Cristiano Ronaldo apparently drinking a can of soda in the stadium tunnel has gone viral on social media, sparking controversy over a perceived contradiction with his famous healthy image.

A screenshot showing Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix sharing a can of soda before Portugal's game against Ireland in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Nov. 14, 2025.

The footage, which shows Ronaldo taking a soda can from teammate Joao Felix and drinking from it, is a stark contrast to his actions at Euro 2020. In a press conference during that tournament, Ronaldo famously took two soft drink bottles of a beverage sponsor off the table, held up a bottle of water and advised everyone to drink water instead of soda. That moment from a player long considered a symbol of healthy living caused the beverage company's stock to drop, ESPN reported.

The new clip, which has surpassed a million views on X, is alleged to have been filmed just before Portugal's 0-2 defeat to Ireland in the 2026 World Cup qualifier on Nov. 14. In that match, Ronaldo was sent off for an elbow.

Ronaldo's act, although it is just drinking soda, has started widespread debates on social media.

Some fans believe the moment is being exaggerated, emphasizing that even top athletes sometimes break the rules and that a single sip of soda does not erase the positive message of healthy living, which Ronaldo has been trying to spread for years.

However, others argue the clip makes Ronaldo's public image inconsistent, noting his massive influence on young people.

It has not been confirmed whether the clip is authentic or an edited product. However, the incident has continued to cause strong controversy as the clip continued to be shared.