Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved yet another monumental milestone, becoming the first celebrity to reach 1 billion followers across all social media platforms. The Portuguese football superstar, who recently launched his YouTube channel in August, continues to set records both on and off the pitch.
Earlier this month, Ronaldo made headlines by becoming the first male footballer to score 900 career goals. On Thursday, he reached a new record by surpassing the 1 billion mark in combined followers across his social media platforms.
To celebrate the occasion, Ronaldo streamed a live follower counter on his new YouTube channel, which has amassed an impressive 60.4 million subscribers since its launch last month. The channel gained 15 million subscribers in its first day and 50 million within its first week.
Ronaldo’s follower count across platforms is staggering: 170.5 million on Facebook, 113 million on X (formerly Twitter), and millions more on Chinese platforms Weibo and Kuaishou. However, Instagram stands out as his largest platform, with a record 639 million followers—representing 8% of the global population.
The only person approaching Ronaldo’s following is fellow footballer Lionel Messi, who boasts more than 500 million Instagram followers. Other high-profile figures with large social media followings include Selena Gomez (424 million), Kylie Jenner (397 million), and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (395 million).
Notably, Ronaldo’s Instagram following alone surpasses the combined total of all 2024 NBA All-Stars, including LeBron James, who has 159 million followers.
Ronaldo, now 39, is currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he is entering his third season after signing a $215 million contract in 2023. His off-field earnings from endorsements, which totaled $60 million last year, make him the fourth highest-paid athlete in terms of sponsorship deals.
With total earnings of $275 million in 2023, Ronaldo is the third highest-paid athlete of all time, behind only Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. His lifetime earnings are set to surpass $2 billion by the end of this year, a feat only Jordan and Woods have previously achieved.
Celebrating the achievement, Ronaldo shared his gratitude in an Instagram post:
“We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number – it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond. From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1 billion of us stand together.”
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey, and together, we’ve shown that there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
Ronaldo’s fans continue to support his journey, proving that his influence stretches far beyond the football field.