Sometimes viral sporting moments can be big goals, tackles or marks; other times its a moth flying onto the face of the biggest sports star in the world-Cristiano Ronaldo.
During this morning’s European Championship final between Portugal and France, the Portuguese captain and Real Madrid star was carried off the field on a stretcher in the 25th minute after injuring his left knee in a collision with French midfielder Dimitri Payet.
As he laid in tears on the pitch a moth landed on his face, which caused social media to go complete crazy. Check out what happens when moths attack:
Ronaldo’s face, and the moth pic.twitter.com/zOQ1wUSfHY
— The Cauldron (ICYMI) (@CauldronICYMI) July 10, 2016
This moth attack is a perfect example of bite-size content- GIFs and Vines- which Wade Maris, vice president of media at digital sports content and media group Perform Group, argues is the new way fans consume sport.
By half time, less than half an hour after the moth appeared- there were more than 50 Twitter accounts for the moth. Jack Watts, CEO of Bastion Collective Marketing ANZ, describes this as a lightning rod moment: “It’s about the lightning-rod moments; whether it’s great goals, shots, tackles, hits, marks, funny incidents, red cards, you can see massive spikes in social conversations in real-time in the 30 seconds to 10 minutes after a moment happens.”
People on Twitter talking about the great moth incident:
Best. Picture. Ever. @RonaldoMoth #moth #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/GcPt61rEBX
— Nick Hyde (@nickmhyde) July 10, 2016
Moth on the eyebrow really ruined that emotional Ronaldo footage.
— Rhys James (@rhysjamesy) July 10, 2016
“This is very sa–WHAT’S THIS?!?!”
[giant magic moth flies down into the stadium and carries ronaldo off into the clouds]
— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo & the moth is the new Winnie the Pooh & the butterfly! pic.twitter.com/5r7hKvgtWO
— Sarah✨ (@Sazzyness) July 10, 2016
I thought this moth was gonna cry and fix Ronaldo the way Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes does. ? #Euro2016Finale pic.twitter.com/Fr7K8WpclZ
— Hassnain. (@hassy110) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo’s Moth is more famous than him #Ronaldo #Euro2016Finale pic.twitter.com/NqeZhRAva0
— Fred (@NoughtPointFour) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo stretchered off after a brutal tackle by a moth
— Old Holborn ✘ (@Holbornlolz) July 10, 2016
RIP Ronaldo’s Moth. The world’s most famous footballing insect has died after a long and illustrious career. He was 6 weeks old.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 10, 2016
Plenty of gambling companies have capitalised on the social media discussion:
A closer look at the Ronaldo moth.
(Credit: @JadeStamate) pic.twitter.com/zSiZZZDoEu
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) July 10, 2016
‘How do we get rid of these moths?’
“Get that work experience bloke down there with a broom.” pic.twitter.com/5428BSmdRk
— Coral (@Coral) July 10, 2016
F*ckinghell, they’re multiplying and getting bigger. This one is the size of Koscielny’s head. pic.twitter.com/R0zYQPRZqM
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 10, 2016
Looking forward to the next part of the Nike advert where Ronaldo swaps places with a moth. pic.twitter.com/5T7ONw0fs2
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 10, 2016
Last year, Australian live entertainment service TEG brought Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo to Melbourne. Geoff Jones, CEO of TEG, called the events “a really good recipe for success”. He discusses the secrets behind bring Real Madrid to Melbourne here.
Learn more about sports marketing and capitalising on sporting moments at B&T’s Ministry of Sports Marketing conference coming up at Sydney’s iconic Randwick Racecourse on 19th July. Check out the final program details and make sure you grab tickets to the conference and awards here. Use the code BANDT to save $100 on tickets.
