One of the most iconic mascots in world football is undoubtedly Mefi – the majestic eagle of OGC Nice, known for its dramatic flight around the Allianz Riviera before matches.
The usual spectacle of Mefi’s flight was on display prior to Nice’s Europa League game against AS Roma, but what was meant to be a display of strength and pride took an unexpected turn.
As Mefi descended towards her trainer for a treat, a pitch sprinkler suddenly activated at full force, drenching both bird and trainer. The trainer struggled to remove his soaked in-ear headphones as the jets continued to spray.
Despite the mishap, the trainer managed to recover with a smile and a thumbs-up to the crowd. Mefi, unfazed by the unexpected shower, continued her routine gracefully – although it’s unlikely she enjoyed the mistimed bath.
Unfortunately for Franck Haise’s team, the night did not improve from there. Nice suffered a 2-1 defeat against Roma, with owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose INEOS group also owns Manchester United, in attendance.
Just as Mefi’s pre-match routine went off course, so did Nice’s performance, leaving the disappointed home fans with a bitter taste instead of a celebration.
Nice’s eagle, Mèfi, got a surprise bath from the pitch sprinkler pre-game 😭 pic.twitter.com/Ui3b1BHGcq
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 24, 2025