Vinicius Junior topped a recent report analyzing online attention among athletes, gaining 1.5 million Instagram followers in just one month. The study, conducted by Heepsy, examined social media popularity, media mentions, and total earnings to highlight the most talked-about sports figures.

The Brazilian footballer also amassed 1.4 million Instagram hashtags and received over 314,000 media mentions, solidifying his position as the most hyped athlete online.

Ronaldo, Mbappé, and other stars follow closely

Cristiano Ronaldo ranked second in online popularity and leads as the richest athlete on Forbes with $275 million in earnings. While his Instagram followers rose by 1.8 million, his TikTok reach remains smaller than younger stars like Vinicius.

French forward Kylian Mbappé placed third, generating 853,000 Instagram hashtags and boasting over 127 million followers on the platform. His career earnings of $90 million place him 16th on the Forbes athlete list.

The study also noted Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as the first motorsport athletes to make the top five, showcasing the diversity of sports stars gaining digital attention. Verstappen had 361,000 new Instagram followers, while Hamilton gained 902,000, adding to his total audience of 41.4 million.

Social media is now critical for athletes

Tabi Vicuña, founder of Heepsy, commented on the findings: “Sport stars have to participate in the online world now. Their career and talents contribute to their popularity, but it also comes from their personality and charisma. Their lives are discussed as much as the lives of actors and singers, if not more.”

The analysis underscores the importance of social media presence for professional athletes, with online attention influencing sponsorships, branding, and global recognition.