Cristiano Ronaldo has lost 18 million followers on Instagram following a comprehensive "purge" on the social network. Significant changes were observed on the pages of global celebrities after the platform deleted bots, inactive, and suspicious accounts.
Despite this, the Portuguese superstar remains the most followed person on Instagram with 666 million followers. Interestingly, this number is nearly 17.5 times the population of Uzbekistan. In other words, Ronaldo's audience is equivalent to the population of almost 18 Uzbekistans.
Instagram has not yet issued an official statement regarding this "purge." However, it is reported that the process has affected many prominent figures. Among them are Lionel Messi, Donald Trump, Pope Francis, as well as show business representatives Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner.
Experts note that Ronaldo has gradually built his personal brand on social media over the years. He is one of the first footballers to view his audience as an asset independent of clubs and federations, generating significant income. Today, his fans span regions from Brazil to India, and from Europe to Arab countries.
According to marketing agencies, a single sponsored post on Ronaldo's Instagram page is valued at around $3–4 million. The footballer earns between $50 million and $80 million annually through social media. This is almost equal to his annual salary at Al-Nassr. Thus, Ronaldo runs a successful business not only on the pitch but also on digital platforms.
For reference, the 41-year-old Ronaldo has made 27 appearances and scored 25 goals this season. The FIFA World Cup 2026, starting in the summer of 2026, will be his sixth, setting an absolute record.
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