Image: INSTAGRAM
Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has penned a beautiful message to his over 500 million followers on Instagram.
The exiting Manchester United forward is the first person to clock 500 million followers on Instagram.
"𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬! 🙌🏽My life, career and thoughts,shared with you, always.You are part of my storyand together we´ve achieved so much.More than I could dream.In every post, each moment, your support.Thank you! 🙏🏽," Ronaldo shared.
Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi is the second most followed star with 376 million followers.
He is followed closely by American model and reality TV star Kylie Jenner with a total of 372 million followers.
In February 2022, Ronaldo was the most followed man on the photo and video sharing social application, but his numbers have since grown exponentially in a matter of months.
Ronaldo also celebrated his 37 birthday in February this year.
In East Africa, Wasafi Media CEO and singer Diamond Platnumz is the most followed individual with 15 million followers.
In the past few years, the Bongo flava artiste who prefers calling himself 'Chibu Dangote' has been setting and breaking his own records as far as the music industry in concerned.
In this generation, Instagram numbers is something to be proud of, as people with huge numbers are used to influence and advertise products by companies.
Advertisers who want their products and services to reach as many people as it is possible, will always approach people with a huge following and that translates into money.
Ronaldo is also one of the highest-paid athletes on Instagram.
Apart from Instagram, Ronaldo is also extremely popular on other social media platforms.
He has over 105 million followers on Twitter and over 154 million followers on Facebook.
Lionel Messi, Virat Kohli, Neymar, Lebron James are some of the other athletes who boast of a huge fan following on Instagram after Ronaldo.
The footballer in a tell all interview, said he feels "betrayed" by the club for trying to force him out of the team.
In his interview, the Portuguese star also said that he has "no respect" for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag because he "doesn't show respect for me".
Ronaldo, who re-joined United in August 2021 and finished as their top scorer in all competitions last season with 24 goals, said,
"I don't have respect for him because he doesn't show respect for me. If you don't have respect for me, I'm never gonna have respect for you."
In response to Ronaldo's interview, Manchester United said they have started taking 'appropriate steps'.
"Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's recent media interview. We will not be making further comments until this process reaches its conclusion," the club said.
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