Twitter is like a moth to the flame after Ronaldo's tears
French moth creates a butterfly effect as it steals the limelight from Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2016 final
As Cristiano Ronaldo slumped to the ground in agony after just 17 minutes of Sunday night's Euro 2016 final in Paris, a continent held its breath.
A second later, the continent began laughing as one of the hundreds upon hundreds of moths at the Stade de France picked that exact moment to land on the Portugal captain's face.
With the moths already causing a storm on social media the rogue insect added to the butterfly effect and sent Twitter into overdrive - with dozens of 'Ronaldo Moth' accounts set up within minutes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The hint of a tear in the Real Madrid man's eye only added to the amusement, with some suggesting that Ronaldo's kindness in giving the moth a drink on a humid night served as a point in his favour in the never-ending 'Messi vs Ronaldo' wars.
The only other thing to get as much social media traction as Sunday night's match over the last few days was the release of mobile game Pokemon Go - leaving the crossovers as inevitable as they were immediate.
The night ended well for Ronaldo and co though, Eder's late winner sending them into dreamland as the hosts fell at the final hurdle.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is academic freedom in peril?
Today's Big Question Faculty punishments are on the rise
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Where will Cristiano Ronaldo go next?
feature Portugal captain has been linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: all-time number of goals, career stats and awards
In Depth Portugal star scores 900th career goal but both are facing the challenges of passing time
By Mike Starling, The Week UK Last updated
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Ronaldo effect: what big players mean for the finances of major football clubs
feature Manchester United hoping to cash in big after securing the Portuguese star’s signature on two-year contract
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated