Coca-Cola pulls plug on €500,000 Ronaldinho sponsorship deal

Jul 11, 2012 8:40:00 PM

The major soft-drink manufacturer has put the brakes on their endorsement with the Brazilian, after he was caught drinking rival company's product, Pepsi

Ronaldinho has landed himself in hot water again, this time with major sponsor Coca-Cola.

The two-time Fifa World Player of the Year was caught on camera at a press conference nonchalantly sipping on a can of the Atlanta-based company's rival, Pepsi.

Coca-Cola were angered enough by his actions to have reportedly terminated a €500 000 endorsement deal with the ex-Barcelona and AC Milan attacker, whose return to his homeland has seen him become embroiled in constant controversy regarding his antics off the pitch.

"The fact that Ronaldinho has appeared with a can of Pepsi was the straw that broke the camel's back," Coca-Cola marketing chief Marcelo Pontes lambasted to Brazilian publication O Estado de Sao Paulo.

Now at new club Atletico Mineiro after his unhappy two-year stint with Flamengo came to an end last month, the 32-year-old has been unable to rejuvenate his career, amidst reports of him throwing wild parties rather than focusing on playing.

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