Manchester United and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first person to reach the 500 million-follower mark on Instagram.
His long-time rival Lionel Messi remains the second-most followed person in the world with 376 million.
Kylie Jenner is in third place followed closely behind by Selena Gomez and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
He has been in the news recently for a very controversial interview with Piers Morgan, where he criticized United and manager Erik ten Hag.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the interview, Ronaldo said he did not regret the timing despite the fallout overshadowing Portugal’s preparations for the World Cup in Qatar.
“Timing is always timing,” Ronaldo said at a news conference at the Al Shahaniya Sports Club. “From your side it is easy to look at how we can choose timings. Sometimes you write truths, sometimes you write lies. I don’t have to worry what others think. I talk when I want to. Everybody knows who I am, what I believe in.”
Ronaldo also said he had nothing to prove by winning the World Cup as he had “nothing missing in my life.”
“If I had to prove something at 37 years and eight months [old]… After what I’ve already done and won, it would be a surprise for me,” Ronaldo added.
“I am an ambitious player. I would love to win t his World Cup. It would be magical, it would be spectacular, a dream.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved so far… Thanks to God, I have nothing missing in my life.”
