Soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo has added another achievement to his impressive resume: YouTube sensation. The Portuguese athlete, known for his prowess on the field, has shown he's equally adept at captivating audiences online, amassing more than 24 million subscribers since posting his first video on Wednesday.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, celebrated his rapid subscriber growth on Instagram Thursday. He shared a video showcasing the golden YouTube plaque awarded to creators who reach significant subscriber milestones. It's a testament to his enduring popularity and ability to connect with fans across platforms.
The soccer star's YouTube channel, "UR Cristiano," launched its first video on Wednesday, though the channel itself was created on July 8. In just a day, Ronaldo uploaded 19 videos, including seven Reels and 12 traditional videos. Most of the content runs around three minutes or less, offering fans glimpses into Ronaldo's life, family, and lifestyle.
Ronaldo's success on YouTube is no surprise given his massive following on other social media platforms. He boasts over 112.6 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), 170 million on Facebook, and a staggering 636 million on Instagram – second only to Instagram's official account.
Pedro Pina, vice president of YouTube Europe, Middle East and Africa, congratulated Ronaldo, saying, "This is just the kick-off to an epic adventure, and we're strapped in for the ride. Massive congrats to Cristiano and his squad!"
While Ronaldo may be new to YouTube, he's not the first athlete to share his life on the platform. NBA star Stephen Curry has 1.76 million subscribers, and former NFL quarterback Cam Newton boasts 1.46 million. However, Ronaldo's debut numbers far surpass these figures.
It's worth noting that even Ronaldo's impressive subscriber count is dwarfed by YouTube's top creator, Jimmy Donaldson (known as MrBeast), who has 311 million subscribers. Nevertheless, Ronaldo's rapid ascent on the platform is a clear indicator of his global appeal and marketing power.
As Ronaldo continues to share content, fans around the world will undoubtedly be eager to see what the soccer superstar has in store for his growing YouTube audience.
* NBC contributed ot this article.
