Ronaldinho loses Coke endorsement for drinking Pepsi

Rio de Janeiro, July 11 (IANS) Former Brazilian star midfielder’s decision to have a sip of Pepsi at a press conference cost him dearly as rivals Coke pulled the plug on his endorsement deal.

The former Barcelona man had himself to blame for his pocket being $760,000 lighter. Coke released Ronaldinho for giving Pepsi the advertisement they were paying for.

However Coca Cola marketing chief Marcelo Pontes said it was just a matter of time before Ronaldinho was given the boot.

“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 playmaker who made his name playing for the Catalan club, has had a torrid few years. He had to change clubs, shifting from Flamengo to Atletico Mineiro after receiving stick from the home fans.

This is not the first time a situation like this has taken place. Pop singer Britney Spears was removed from the Pepsi payroll after she was caught on camera drinking a Coke.