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Cristiano Ronaldo has made history once again, this time off the pitch, becoming the first person to hit 1 billion total followers across his various social media platforms. This impressive milestone includes his followers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, as well as Chinese social media sites Weibo and Kuaishou.
Although this figure doesn’t represent one billion unique individuals, due to overlap between platforms and the presence of fake accounts, the achievement remains remarkable. Social media expert Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight described it as a “staggering number” that media and brands will closely observe, signaling a shift in how audiences are reached through technology.
On the field, Ronaldo has been famed for his rivalry with Lionel Messi, but when it comes to social media, there is no competition. Messi trails behind with 623 million followers, while Ronaldo also outpaces entertainment giants like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez.
A key factor in Ronaldo reaching this milestone was his recent decision to join YouTube. His channel skyrocketed to 50 million subscribers within a week, far outpacing Messi, whose channel has just 3.5 million subscribers despite having been active since 2011.
Ronaldo’s social media strategy includes tailored content for an English-speaking audience and near-daily uploads. His YouTube channel features conversations with his wife Georgina Rodríguez and former teammate Rio Ferdinand, making his content engaging and accessible globally.
Ronaldo’s record-breaking presence isn’t limited to social media. He recently became the first footballer to score 900 top-level career goals and continues to top financial charts, with Forbes reporting his total earnings at $260 million—making him the highest-paid athlete in the world.
