As we celebrate the second anniversary of Lionel Messi’s World Cup win on December 18, 2022, it is noteworthy to reflect not only on his achievements on the field, but also his phenomenal impact on digital platforms. Messi’s victory resonated globally, setting new records and redefining engagement metrics across various social media channels.
Instagram: The New Peak of Engagement
After Argentina’s win, Messi shared a series of celebratory photos on Instagram, which quickly became the platform’s most liked post. Within hours, the post garnered over 74 million likes, breaking the previous record held by the famous ‘world_record_egg’ post, which had amassed 57 million likes since 2019. This feat not only set a new benchmark on Instagram but also became the most liked. Content on all social media platforms at that time.
WhatsApp: unprecedented message volume
During the World Cup final, WhatsApp experienced a surge in activity, with users sending records 25 million messages per second. This statistic underscores the global excitement and pivotal role of the platform in real-time communication during major events.
Twitter: Record breaking tweet volumes
Twitter also saw unprecedented engagement during the finals. Users were posting 24,400 tweets per second When France scored their third goal, the highest tweet rate ever for a World Cup tournament. This highlights the importance of the platform as a hub for live responses and discussions on global events.
Google Search: Exceeding Historical Traffic Levels
Google CEO Sundar Pichai noted that the World Cup final saw the company’s highest search traffic. 25 years of history. This increase reflects the huge global interest in the event and the pivotal moments that captivated audiences around the world.
Lionel Messi’s Digital Milestones
In addition to his on-field achievements, Messi’s digital presence reached new heights during this period:
Follower Growth: Throughout the tournament, Messi’s Instagram following grew by nearly 7%, reaching over 400 million followers.
Most record-breaking posts: During this time many of Messi’s posts received significant engagement, with many posts being the most liked posts in Instagram history.
These digital milestones underscore the profound global impact of Messi’s World Cup win, illustrating how a single event can unite millions around the world across the field and across digital platforms.