Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has broken another record -- this time off the field -- by crossing 400 million followers on Instagraminfo-icon and becoming the most popular person on the social mediainfo-icon platform. The record was previously held by American reality star and makeup mogul Kylie Jenner, who has now fallen to second place with 309 million followers. Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi follows closely in third with 306 million followers.

ESPN FC tweeted the news, calling the footballer the GOAT (greatest of all time). "Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first person to reach 400 million followers on Instagram. The undisputed GOAT of social media."

Broadcaster Piers Morgan flaunted the fact that he's one of the 500 people Ronaldo follows and congratulated the footballer. "Congrats to Cristiano on becoming the first human being ever to reach 400 million followers on Instagram. The undisputed social media [goat emoji]."

Ronaldo fans celebrated the milestone calling him the "most popular man on the planet." "No comparison. Great man," this user wrote in Portuguese.

Some had apparently been counting down to 400 million as well. In September 2021, Ronaldo had 237 million followers that made him the most followed man on the application and in a matter of mere months, his follower count grew exponentially and landed him at the top.

The footballer had celebrated his 37th birthday just a day before his following spiked to 400 million. "Life is a roller coaster. Hard work, high speed, urgent goals, demanding expectations... But in the end, it all comes down to family, love, honesty, friendship, values that make it all worth it. Thanks for all the messages! 37 and counting," he captioned the birthday post.

The Manchester United player had recently awed the worldinfo-icon with a grand gesture for his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez's birthday by surprising her with a custom laser show at Burj Khalifa, lighting up the world's tallest building with her face. The star footballer regularly posts on his Instagram to keep fans updated about his life.