Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Ronaldo, Messi Team Up for Second-Most-Liked Instagram Post Ever

  • Ronaldo’s post depicting the pair playing chess has garnered over 36.9 million likes.
  • Ronaldo became the first person in Instagram history with over 500 million followers.
Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Rolando playing each other in chess
Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated Instagram once again.

Ronaldo’s post depicting the pair of all-time great soccer players playing chess against one another has garnered 36.9 million likes as of writing — the second-most-liked Instagram post of all time.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

Messi’s accompanying post has 28.5 million likes — so far, the fifth-most-liked post on the platform ever.

The images posted Sunday — the day of the 2022 World Cup’s start — were part of a paid partnership with Louis Vuitton and were captured by world-famous photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Including the new campaign, Ronaldo and Messi are each responsible for four of the top 20 most-liked Instagram posts of all time.

Ronaldo also recently became the first person to hit 500 million followers in the social media giant’s history.

According to Nielsen, the average media value of a branded social post from Ronaldo is worth $2.79 million while one from Messi is worth $1.95 — the two most for any soccer player in the world.

Kylian Mbappe completes dribble during France match against Austria during Nations League match

World Cup Brings Together Highest-Paid Soccer Players

Kylian Mbappé is the World Cup’s highest-paid player.
November 20, 2022

For as much clout as the two GOATs carry, they still can’t approach the most-liked Instagram post of all time.

That honor belongs to a picture of an egg that has captured 55.9 million likes since January 2019.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold World Cup medals during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.

Trump Finally Backs Infantino Amid FIFA Leadership Crisis

Trump said it’d be a “terrible mistake” if FIFA considered replacing Infantino.

FIFA Alleges ‘Concerted’ Effort to ‘Undermine’ Infantino

FIFA said it will not “tolerate” any process inconsistent with its democratic procedures.
Fanduel logo appears in this illustration taken April 22, 2026.

Gambling Industry Gears Up for ‘Arms Race’ This NFL Season

“Competition is fierce,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/12/26 – Knicks-LeBron Tickets Soar, Trump Backs Infantino, Romo’s CBS Future Unclear

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.

How the Chicago Sky Found the League’s Biggest Revelation

Sydney Taylor went undrafted in 2024 and played two years in Europe.
August 7, 2026

Clippers, Leonard Had Sponsorship Deal With Daktronics: Report

Daktronics installed the Intuit Dome’s halo board.
August 7, 2026

Money Suddenly Floods NFL’s Running Back Market

The long-overlooked position gets a big jolt of new energy. 
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Eastlake’s Julian Williams (3) runs the ball during a District 1-6A high school football game against Pebble Hills on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at SAC 1 in El Paso, Texas.
August 6, 2026

Texas Heat Rules Reshape High School Football Practices

Smaller programs may lack the facilities and trainers to adapt.
Dec 28, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles the ball past Philadelphia 76ers forward JJ Redick (17) and guard Ben Simmons (25) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 114-110. Mandatory Credit:
August 4, 2026

Why Pro Athletes Are Saying Their Big Contracts Weren’t So Big

“I think people should listen, because they’re telling the truth,” Chris Bosh told FOS.
Jul 12, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) serves against Alexander Zverev (GER) (not pictured) in the gentlemen's singles final of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
August 3, 2026

Star Withdrawals Test the Value of Tennis’s Masters Events

The Canadian Open is missing tennis’s biggest stars once again.
Aug 31, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; John Isner of the United States is interviewed on court after his second round match against Michael Mmoh of the United States on day four of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
July 31, 2026

Former Tennis Pro on Influencers at Big Events: ‘Done a Lot for the Sport’

John Isner says there’s upside to content creators’ presence at Grand Slams.