Cristiano Ronaldo hits major new milestone after joining Saudi side Al-Nassr
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has gained almost 170 million social media followers in a year, figures reveal.
It cemented the former Man United ace’s position as the most followed footballer in the world.
Ronaldo, 38, now with Saudi side Al-Nassr, has 855 million followers across all his accounts.
Argentinian World Cup winner Lionel Messi, 35, has the next biggest presence, gaining 147 million users in a year to take his total to 579 million.
Brazil star Neymar is third with 403 million followers, then France’s Kylian Mbappé with 132.5 million.
Brazilian Vinícius Jr is fifth on 62.6 million, according to data website Football Benchmark.
A spokesman for SafeBettingSites.com, which collated the data, said of Portuguese Ronaldo: “His dwindling football career hasn’t impacted his social media popularity.”
Meanwhile, former Manchester United midfielder Gordon Strachan recently revealed that his teammates gave Ronaldo a blunt warning when he arrived at Old Trafford.
And he was brutally told: “We are not here to see you play.”
Ronaldo joined the Red Devils for the first time in 2003.
“When Ronaldo arrived at Manchester United for the first time, there were people in the team who told him the truth,” Strachan said.
“Sorry, we don’t want you dancing around with the ball when you can cross earlier.
“Use your skills in areas where you can produce something useful.
“We’re not here to see you play.”