Ronaldo’s YouTube growth: “Unprecedented”

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken another record – this time, however, far away from the pitch. The 39-year-old Portuguese’s new YouTube channel “UR Cristiano” reached around 57 million subscribers in the initial phase, and now has around 63 million. Such a rapid increase in followers has “never been seen before” on YouTube, said social media expert Robin Blase.

With almost 20 million subscribers within 24 hours, Ronaldo secured a “Guinness World Record”, and the 2016 European champion proudly presented the certificate for it. However, the multiple world footballer does not yet have the account with the most followers: Around 315 million subscribers follow the influencer “MrBeast”, who produces videos in which he challenges guests and offers a large amount of money, sometimes in the millions, as prize money.

Blase is an influencer with his own podcast, in which he talks about everything that is happening on the internet as “Rob Bubble”. He explains Ronaldo’s success as follows: “The biggest factor is definitely his worldwide fame.” But his following on other platforms, especially Instagram, also plays an important role. Another factor, according to Blase, is the very well-produced content of the videos published.

Ronaldo publishes these in different formats. Sometimes they are short videos in portrait format, sometimes there is a YouTube premiere. This is the announced release of a new video that viewers can watch together as soon as it is released. The number of videos – over 30 in two weeks – is also rather unusual. The content is about both football and his relationship with his wife.

What makes Ronaldo fans tick?

Above all, it is of course the 39-year-old’s many fans that have allowed the account to grow so quickly. Professor Judith von der Heyde researches fan culture in football. She says that, just like football, the professional footballer’s YouTube account is about emotions. The name of the channel itself has a meaning. “UR Cristiano” means “You are Cristiano”. The motto is: “We are all one, we are together.” And this of course also creates a form of closeness,” says von der Heyde.

The content of the videos is also well suited to generating emotions in viewers, says the scientist. As an example, she cites a video in which the footballer explains why he burst into tears at last summer’s European Championships. “He even brings us into his emotions,” said von der Heyde. According to her, fans are interested in the authenticity and approachability of an icon.

There are not only the classic football fans who go to the stadium. There are also interested people who know Ronaldo’s name and have asked themselves what his girlfriend is like, why he cries? “It’s just really exciting to take a look into people’s worlds.”

Ronaldo himself also has an idea of ​​why his fans love him: “For many reasons: football, trophies, family, lifestyle,” he lists in the video.

Why now?

With 132 goals in 214 international matches, the five-time world footballer is his country’s record player and record goalscorer. However, he was heavily criticized at the European Championships because, even at the age of 39, he still played as captain and regular player without making any noticeable contribution to the team in sporting terms.

Could starting a YouTube account also be a retirement insurance policy? Blase does not rule that out: “I think it is very smart to establish yourself now, while you are still active – as an idol in this world and to build a new career for yourself.”

Future prospects

But long-term success requires more than just the star player’s fame. “YouTube doesn’t just give you random views and play you just because you’re famous,” said Blase. A viewer has to click on a video and watch it to the end for it to do well. Ronaldo has to follow this example.

Most recently, he says he has broken the barrier of a combined one billion followers on social networks. “We have made history,” the Portuguese posted on Instagram, X, Facebook and Kuaishou, among others. But that’s not all. Ronaldo will overtake YouTube star “MrBeast.” According to broadcaster “Giga,” he will achieve this in the next two years. There are already live counters that compare the subscribers of the two YouTube channels in real time.

In his post to one billion followers, the professional from Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia promised his fans worldwide: “The best is yet to come and we will fight together, win and make history.”

Close