Wednesday, June 24, 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

June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman of the U.S. celebrate their first goal, an own goal scored by Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USMNT World Cup Run Could Push Fox Ad Rates Past $2 Million

Fox was charging nearly $1 million for USMNT group-stage games.

Is Anyone Using FIFA’s Official Prediction Market?

The World Cup’s prediction market partner is not available in the U.S.
June 22, 2026; Santa Clara, California, U.S.; Algeria's Anis Hadj Moussa in action with Jordan's Odeh Fakhoury. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Authorities Seize Hundreds of Drones Near World Cup Stadiums

Drones are prohibited within three nautical miles of the stadiums.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/24/26 – NBA Draft Recap, NFL Rejects Sorsby, PGA Tour Restructures, NHL Eyes Texas Expansion

0:00

Featured Today

Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.

Greg Olsen: NFL Franchises Interested in Hosting Tight End U

The annual summer summit is in its sixth year.
Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) checks Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center.
June 22, 2026

Tkachuk Is Latest Star Player on Canadian Team to Move South

The former Senators captain will now play with his older brother.
June 23, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo Finally Traded to Miami

The Heat and Bucks struck a deal late Monday night.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Landon Donovan discusses the state of youth soccer with Front Office Sports.
June 18, 2026

Landon Donovan Sounds Alarm on Youth Soccer Culture

Donovan believes an early emphasis on winning has harmed youth soccer.
June 16, 2026

MLB Warns Giants Pitchers Over Writing on Pride Caps

The Giants celebrated Pride Night on Friday.
Brendan Sorsby runs with the ball during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
June 16, 2026

Sorsby Brings Unprecedented Intrigue to NFL Supplemental Draft

No players other than Sorsby have entered the supplemental draft.