Lisbon, Portugal: The legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo continues to outshine his competitors both on and off the field, as he secures the title of Instagram’s highest earner for the third consecutive year. Adding to his impressive list of achievements, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has yet again left the competition trailing in his wake.
According to Hopper HQ, Cristiano Ronaldo commands a staggering $3.23 million for each Instagram post he makes, a testament to his immense popularity and influence on the platform. As he nears the remarkable milestone of 600 million followers, his global fan base continues to grow, reaffirming his status as one of the most recognisable and celebrated figures worldwide.
Having recently been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, thanks in part to his move to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has now topped the 2023 Instagram Rich List. This esteemed list, curated by the Instagram scheduling tool Hopper HQ, ranks individuals based on their online influence and their potential earnings from posts on both Instagram and YouTube.
Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi, a long-standing rival of Ronaldo, takes the second spot on the list. The Argentina World Cup winner is not far behind, attracting nearly $2.6 million for each post he shares with his followers.
These two football titans not only outshine their fellow sports stars but also surpass renowned celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in terms of earnings per post on social media.
Although the top ranks of the list are dominated by entertainment and sports icons, only two other athletes managed to secure a place in the top 20. Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli and Brazilian football superstar Neymar made their mark, showcasing the global appeal of cricket and football.
Hopper HQ’s co-founder, Mike Bandar, expressed his surprise at the continual growth of annual earnings on social media platforms. He noted, “It’s still shocking to me that the annual money made on the platform increases every year.” Bandar highlighted the enduring influence of traditional celebrities, particularly Ronaldo and Messi, who maintain their dominance in the digital sphere.
“The glitz and glamour of traditional celebrities still hold power over the new ‘influencer’ status,” Bandar stated. “Ronaldo and Messi not only dominate the pitch but also the digital sphere, as it’s clear they personify the power of personal branding and the influence it holds over us ‘ordinary’ people.”
Remarkably, the reigning king of Instagram earnings, TikTok star Khaby Lame, secures the 40th position on the list. In an impressive demonstration of his popularity, Ronaldo’s earnings from Instagram posts alone are nearly ten times greater than those of Lame.
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