Cristiano Ronaldo still holds the title of the most followed footballer On Instagram with a whooping 499 Million followers despite all the bashing he has been getting since his controversial interview with Piers Morgan went viral.
Amid the bashing, Ronaldo has the most followers overall on Facebook, Instagram, and both.
While his arc-rival, Lionel Messi is the second-ranked most followed footballer on Instagram with 375 million followers.
Athletes have always used social media to their advantage because they are celebrities in their own right.
Although many athletes utilize social media to interact with followers, this is not the only reason why they do so. They also use it to promote themselves as a world brand.
Since the majority of professional athletes have sponsorship and advertising agreements, social media gives them a platform to further advertise their favorite businesses.
Top athletes’ Instagram posts generate a lot of revenue. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram posts in January 2020 had an average media value of 985,441 dollars.
While Messi, whose posts were worth more than $500,000 in January, is in second place.
Below are the most followed footballers on Instagram – two of them are retired.
Most followed footballer On Instagram – Cristiano Ronaldo – 499 Million Followers
Who else is more well-known on Instagram than Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ronaldo has 499 million Instagram followers and a long list of brands to his name. Ronaldo is regarded by many as the greatest player to ever live. The claim is questionable, though.
Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United last two summers took the lead shortly after Messi’s transfer news shattered the internet record in 2021.
The entire football community was thrilled by the 37-year-old’s return to Manchester United.
After a year, things have changed, and the forward now wants to join a greater team than Manchester United.
Lionel Messi – 375 Million Followers
The player with the most Ballon d’Or awards, perhaps the finest player in history, is the second most followed footballer on earth. On Instagram, Lionel Messi has 375 million fans.
Even non-football fans are familiar with Messi in the football world. Messi has a number of products under his name that are manufactured by Adidas.
Neymar Jr – 182 Million Followers
Many of the current players are seen as either the next Messi or Ronaldo. Neymar, meanwhile, was dubbed the future Ronaldinho.
The Santos kid outperformed himself at FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, though, and is now considered one of the top five players of this generation.
Similar to Messi and Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. is well-known and has 182 million Instagram followers.
David Beckham – 76 Million Followers
Along with Ronaldinho, the retired footballer from England made this list.
Possibly the only professional football player with a celebrity-like air around him was David Beckham.
His retirement from Paris Saint-German was nine years ago. His fame hasn’t diminished at all, though. On Instagram, Beckham has 75.8 million followers.
Kylian Mbappe – 74 Million Followers
One of the best players in the world, the 23-year-old just recently began his career with AS Monaco.
When AS Monaco defeated Manchester City in the Champions League in 2017, he made a spectacular display.
For more than £120 million, Paris Saint-Germain purchased the current French superstar right away.
Since then, he has gained notoriety in football, particularly among Parisians and Madridistas. On Instagram, Kylian Mbappe has 73.4 million followers.
Ronaldinho – 68 Million Followers
One of the few athletes in the world without anyone hating his name is Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian legend is loved by almost everyone in the football world.
He ranks alongside Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo as one of the most well-known Brazilian athletes. On Instagram, Ronaldinho has 68.3 million fans.
Karim Benzema – 60 Million Followers
French footballer Karim Mostafa Benzema is a striker for Real Madrid in La Liga and captains Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid.
Benzema is recognized as one of the greatest strikers of all time and is a prolific and imaginative attacker.
The France international who will miss the World Cup in Qatar due to injury, has 60.7 million Instagram followers, and is ranked among the most followed footballers in the world.
Marcelo – 59 Million Followers
Marcelo, also known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian-born professional footballer who currently competes for Olympiacos of the Super League of Greece as a left-back.
One of the finest left-backs of all time, Marcelo is renowned for his offensive prowess, cunning, and technical skills.
Unexpectedly, he has amassed a total of 59.5 million Instagram followers, just like Neymar and Ronaldinho.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 56 Million Followers
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has consistently defies the effects of aging. The Swedish striker and AC Milan icon has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Italian team.
He is one of the few players, age 40, who has played for numerous storied organizations.
On Instagram, the Swedish player has 56.3 million followers.
Sergio Ramos – 54 Million Followers
The PSG center back is a great defender in football history because he is one of a kind.
Ramos defeats Salah despite a negligible difference in the number of supporters (53.7 million).
Ramos has a well-decorated prize collection that includes a World Cup, four La Liga titles, four Champions League medals, and other honors.
