World football star Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a new milestone off the pitch: he became the first person in the world to reach one billion followers on social media. The 39-year-old Portuguese, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, announced the record via his own platforms.
“We have made history: 1 billion fans! This is more than just a number – it is a testament to our shared passion, drive and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo said in an emotional message to his fans.
The player, known as ‘El Bicho’ or ‘CR7’, has been one of the most influential figures in both the sporting and digital worlds.
With over 639 million followers on Instagram, Ronaldo surpasses celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Lionel Messi. His presence on other platforms is also notable: he has 170.5 million followers on Facebook, 113 million on X (formerly Twitter), 60 million on YouTube, 9.4 million on Kuaishou and 7.5 million on Weibo.
Ronaldo thanked his fans for their support throughout his career and highlighted the value of his connection with them, saying that “this journey is ours.” He has also expanded his interaction with fans through his YouTube channel, where, in just 23 days, he surpassed figures such as Taylor Swift in number of subscribers.
The Portuguese, who also recently broke the 900-goal barrier as a professional, continues to demonstrate his global relevance both in football and in the digital world. “The best is yet to come,” he promised, while reaffirming his commitment to continue making history.