Cristiano Ronaldo was the highest-paid player at the 2026 World Cup, having earned an estimated $295 million over the past year.
But a 40-year-old journeyman goalkeeper making a fraction of Ronaldo’s salary gained more Instagram followers than the Portugal star during the tournament. Cape Verde’s Vozinha gained 29.4 million, compared with Ronaldo’s 11.4 million.
Norway’s Erling Haaland led the tournament with 32.1 million new followers.
Here are the biggest social media winners from the 2026 World Cup, and how their online growth compares with what they are being paid to play.
CLUB SPORTICO: World Cup Winners and Losers
