The earnings of sports icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham on Instagram have been unveiled. According to calculations by HopperHQ and reported by The Sun, these football stars pocket hefty sums for each sponsored post they share.
With their massive influence and millions of followers, footballers dominate the top ten Instagram rich list. Only two non-football legends manage to make the cut. Here’s a look at the top ten earners, who make eye-watering sums with just a click of a button.
Top 10 Instagram Earners in Sports:
Cristiano Ronaldo: £2.67m per post
CR7 tops the list, maintaining his position over long-term rival Lionel Messi for the fourth consecutive year. Deals with Nike, Binance, and Visit Saudi contribute to his staggering earnings. Cristiano Ronaldo has 634 million followers.
Lionel Messi: £2.12m per post
With 504 million followers, Messi endorses brands like Adidas and Mastercard, making over £2 million per sponsored post.
Virat Kohli: £1.14m per post
The cricketer’s success at the T20 World Cup boosted his marketability. Kohli reaches a vast audience of 270 million followers, securing his place as India’s top sports star.
Neymar: £937,000 per post
Despite an ACL injury sidelining him since November 2023, Neymar remains a prominent face in the Saudi Pro League and continues his lucrative sponsorship deal with sports betting company Blaze.
LeBron James: £690,000 per post
The basketball legend, with 159 million followers, endorses major brands like EA Sports and Nike, reflecting his immense popularity in the US.
Kylian Mbappe: £503,000 per post
The France and Real Madrid star, despite an underwhelming Euro 2024, commands half a million per sponsored upload, recently promoting watch brand Hublot.
David Beckham: £372,000 per post
Becks’ influence continues to grow, eleven years post-retirement. His follower count and earnings saw a significant rise after the release of his Netflix documentary and the high-profile signings at his MLS team, Inter Miami.
Karim Benzema: £324,000 per post
Benzema enters the list for the first time, becoming the face of Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad and knocking Mo Salah out of the top ten.
Ronaldinho: £322,000 per post
The Brazilian legend caused a stir on social media with his recent Nike “Mad Brilliance” promotion, driving around London in a pink Rolls-Royce and boosting his Instagram presence.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: £272,000 per post
The ex-Manchester United striker, now a senior adviser at AC Milan, rounds out the top ten, continuing to earn significantly from his social media presence even after retirement.
These sports stars continue to leverage their fame and social media influence, turning posts into substantial revenue streams.
