Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar top-earners on Instagram during lockdown

The Portuguese superstar earns a staggering amount of money through his posts but the likes of fellow footballers Lionel Messi and Neymar are not far behind

Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar top-earners in Instagram during lockdown
Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar top-earners in Instagram during lockdown

Cristiano RonaldoLionel Messi and Neymar are said to have been the top-earners on Instagram from sports, during the lockdown period between March 12 and May 14. 

“The Top Three” of football earned “per post” more than anybody in the list of top-earners. Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar earned £470,584, £324,843 and £298,053 per post. The fourth in the list, who earned most per post is Katy Perry (£207,078).

The 35-year-old Portuguese icon has kept not only his fans happy with regular updates from his native Madeira but inspiring them during that difficult period, as CR7 continues with his fitness regime with his family ahead of football’s return.

In terms of the number of followers “The Top Three”, have 238, 151 and 138 millions of followers on Instagram. Katy Perry comes fourth with 95 millions of followers.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also shared a number of photos and videos of himself spending quality time with his partner and children, with a recent picture of a bike ride gaining over eight million likes.

Fifteen from sports have featured in the top-earning list of 50. Apart from “The Top Three”, there are seven other football players who secured a place in the list. They are Davis Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dani Alves, Robert Lewandowski, Dele Alli, Gareth Bale and Paul Pogba.

The five people from other sports are Virat Kohli (Cricket), Dwyane Wade (Basketball), Anthony Joshua (Boxing), Jon Jones (Mixed Martial art) and Serena Williams (Tennis). Serena Williams is the only female athlete in the list.

The top-earning celebrity of all is comedian and actor Kevin Hart (with 91 million followers), who earned a sensational £2,733,377 with 14 sponsored Instagram posts.

Top-earners on Instagram in Sports during lockdown

Top-50 RankNameFollower
(in Million)
Income per Post# PostTotal Income
2Cristiano Ronaldo219£470,5844£1,882,336
4Lionel Messi151£324,8434£1,299,373
5Neymar138£298,0534£1,192,211
10David Beckham63£135,1203£405,359
12Virat Kohli59£126,4313£379,294
19Zlatan Ibrahimovic43£92,2062£184,413
28Dwyane Wade17£35,7874£143,146
33Dani Alves31£66,8472£133,694
34Anthony Joshua11£24,3005£121,500
36Jon Jones5£10,82211£119,047
38Robert Lewandowski17£37,1003£111,301
41Serena Williams12£26,4754£105,899
45Dele Alli7£15,5226£93,130
46Gareth Bale43£92,7121£92,712
49Paul Pogba41£88,0541£88,054
Top lockdown Instagram earners in Sports (Attain)