Muscat: Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has made Instagram history by becoming the first person to reach 600 million followers on the Meta-owned platform.
The historic record comes months after he reached the 500-million follower milestone in November 2022.
Rated as one of the world’s most exceptional footballers, Ronaldo holds the position of forward for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and serves as the esteemed captain of the Portuguese national team.
Eight months prior to his transfer to Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Instagram following stood at approximately 450 million. Since then, he has experienced an extraordinary surge in his followers, reaching around 150 million new followers.
This growth has propelled him ahead of Lionel Mess who commands an audience of approximately 482 million followers.
Fans from around the globe, including Oman, celebrated the impressive accomplishment on various social media platforms. They have hailed Ronaldo as an exemplary role model, not merely confined to his exceptional performance on the pitch, but also for his influence across various spheres beyond the stadium. His prominent digital presence has particularly resonated with his admirers.
In remarks to the Observer, Ali al Balushi, a staunch fan of Ronaldo, said, “Ronaldo has been a source of inspiration for us in the realm of football. I have followed his career since my early years. His achievements highlight his exceptional prowess both on and off the field.”
Amidst orchestrated campaigns to tarnish his image, Youssef al Abari, another fan, expressed Ronaldo’s resilience, asserting that he has been subjected to unwarranted criticism and calculated media attacks day in and day out.
“Yet, his success has thrived against all odds and he achieved new title with Al Nassr club recently, underscoring his ability to overcome adversity,” Al Abari said.
For Majid Issa, an astute observer of the football landscape, Ronaldo’s acquisition not only bolsters a team’s prowess but also significantly augments its revenues.
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