Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, continues to break barriers both on and off the pitch. Earlier this month, the 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward made history by becoming the first male footballer to score 900 career goals. Now, Ronaldo has achieved another groundbreaking milestone—amassing over 1 billion followers across all major social media platforms.
Ronaldo, known for his presence on and off the field, shared the news of this accomplishment through a live stream on his newly launched YouTube channel. The channel, which saw rapid success, gained 15 million subscribers on its first day and surpassed 60 million within just a few weeks.
Celebrating a Global Fanbase
Upon reaching this unprecedented achievement, Ronaldo took a moment to express his gratitude to his global fanbase. In a heartfelt message, he said, “We’ve made history—1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number; it’s a reflection of our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond. From the streets of Madeira to the world’s biggest stages, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now, 1 billion of us stand together.”
Ronaldo’s message resonated with his followers, highlighting the journey they have all shared, from his humble beginnings to his rise as one of the world’s greatest athletes. “You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and lows. The best is yet to come, and we’ll keep pushing, winning, and making history together,” he added.
Social Media Dominance
Ronaldo’s social media influence is nothing short of extraordinary. The bulk of his following is concentrated on Instagram, where he commands 639 million followers—approximately 8% of the world’s population. His reach extends beyond Instagram, with 170.5 million followers on Facebook, 113 million on X (formerly Twitter), and a growing presence on Chinese platforms Weibo and Kuaishou.
Compared to his football rival Lionel Messi, Ronaldo stands unmatched in the social media arena. Messi’s closest social media account has just over 500 million followers. American stars like Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson trail behind Ronaldo, boasting follower counts between 395 and 424 million.
Ronaldo’s Instagram audience alone surpasses the combined total followers of all 2024 NBA All-Star players, emphasizing his global influence and popularity.
A Global Brand On and Off the Pitch
Ronaldo’s latest milestone comes as he enters his third season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The Portuguese star signed a lucrative contract with the club in 2023, earning $215 million annually. His global influence is not limited to the football field; his endorsement deals have brought in an additional $60 million over the past year, placing him among the top athletes for off-field earnings.
In 2023, Ronaldo’s total earnings reached $275 million, second only to golfer Jon Rahm. With career earnings now at $1.92 billion (adjusted for inflation), Ronaldo is on track to surpass the $2 billion mark by the end of the year. Achieving this feat would place him in an elite group of athletes, joining basketball legend Michael Jordan and golf icon Tiger Woods.
