One billion followers on social media: The Cristiano Ronaldo effect

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become the first individual to reach 1 billion followers on his different social media profiles. This astounding statistic includes his followers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and even Chinese social media sites like Weibo and Kuaishou. While it may not reflect one billion distinct individuals because many users follow him on various platforms, it is nonetheless a significant feat in the world of digital impact.

The Ronaldo Reach

Despite some followers potentially being fake accounts or bots, social media expert Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight calls the number “staggering.” He emphasizes that media outlets and brands will undoubtedly take notice. “What an achievement, and it further underlines the fundamental shift taking place in media,” he told the BBC, pointing to how Ronaldo’s influence shows the power of technology to connect with new, younger audiences around the globe.

Ronaldo vs. Messi: The Social Media Showdown

On the football field, Ronaldo’s rivalry with Lionel Messi is legendary, but when it comes to social media, Ronaldo is the clear winner. While Messi has an impressive 623 million followers, Ronaldo far outpaces him. His reach even extends beyond sports, surpassing entertainment superstars like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez. Even the world’s top YouTuber, MrBeast, pales in comparison, with 543 million followers.

YouTube: The Game-Changer

One key reason for Ronaldo’s milestone is his recent foray into YouTube, a platform he joined just last month. His channel skyrocketed to 50 million subscribers in just one week—a feat that puts him leagues ahead of Messi, who has garnered just 3.5 million subscribers since 2011. The difference? Consistent, engaging content. Ronaldo’s YouTube channel features regular uploads, unlike Messi’s, which has seen only one video in the last three years.

Mastering YouTube’s Formula

While Messi’s videos are often short ads or montages in his native Spanish, Ronaldo’s YouTube channel focuses on longer, more engaging content. It includes conversations between him, his wife Georgina Rodríguez, and former teammates like Rio Ferdinand, tailored for an English-speaking audience. Even when Ronaldo speaks in Spanish or Portuguese, his videos are often dubbed into English, making them accessible to a wider audience.

Strategic and Engaging Content

Ronaldo’s social media success isn’t just due to his fame on the field. His social media team has clearly mastered the art of creating engaging content, with near-daily uploads and eye-catching thumbnails on YouTube. His presence across platforms, along with the quality and frequency of his posts, has made him a dominant force online. He announced his milestone across all his accounts, continuing his trend of breaking records both on and off the pitch.

Breaking Records Everywhere

Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to record-breaking. He is the top scorer in UEFA Champions League history, holds the most goals in the European Championship, and has made more international appearances than any other footballer. Recently, he also became the first footballer to score 900 top-level career goals. Now, he adds the title of social media king to his long list of accomplishments.

Still Room to Grow

Even more remarkable is the fact that Ronaldo has a long way to go in his social media career. He has a sizable fan base, but he hasn’t joined well-known networks like Threads or TikTok, so there’s still opportunity for growth. Ronaldo’s digital footprint is anticipated to grow as social media continues to change.

Dominating the Earnings Game

Ronaldo’s massive social media influence doesn’t just break records; it also significantly boosts his earnings. According to Forbes, his total earnings now stand at $260 million, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world. With his global reach continuing to grow, those numbers are likely to soar even higher.