The #1 most liked photo on Instagram used to be… an egg.
But not anymore.
In this article we’ll look at the Top 10 most liked Instagram posts ever, and what you, as a creator, can learn from them.
#10 – Cristiano Ronaldo (35M Likes)
At number 10 with 35M likes, we have Cristiano Ronaldo taking an ice bath in Finland.
Ronaldo isn’t just a football legend, he built the most recognizable personal brand in the world, becoming the most followed person on Instagram with over 665M followers.
#9 – Emil Reinert (37M Likes)
Number 9 with 37M likes is Emil Reinert playing piano in public, when a 3-year-old girl asks him to play My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion and she sings along beautifully.
Wholesome, authentic, and spontaneous. A reminder that raw moments often outperform polished content.
#8 – Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce (37M Likes)
At number 8 with 37M likes, we have Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement announcement.
Taylor has built a cult-like following with flawless personal branding, and her fans care about every detail of her personal life.
That’s the power of community.
#7 – Lionel Messi (41M Likes)
Number 7 with 41M likes: Lionel Messi with the FIFA World Cup trophy on the plane back to Argentina.
SPOILER: It’s not the only World Cup post here
So we’ll get into why this moment mattered so much a bit later in the video.
#6 – Ronaldo, Messi & Louis Vuitton (41M Likes)
At 6 with 41M likes – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi together in a Louis Vuitton ad, playing chess.
Brilliant concept, the two most followed people on Instagram, basically the two biggest personal brands in the world
Normally rivals on the football pitch, united in a calm game of chess. Powered by Louis Vuitton.
A masterclass in brand positioning.
#5 – Insta360 (41M Likes)
Number 5 with 41M likes: Insta360’s video of a toddler running around and going through different emotions.
Yes, this one is a bit random, sure.
But this viral video gave insane exposure to this camera brand.
Kids and authenticity are a viral formula.
#4 – Kishore Mondal (51M Likes)
At #4 with 51M likes we have Kishore Mondal singing Jeene Laga Hoon. I’m probably butchering those names.
He’s enjoying life, sings beautifully and people love it cause it’s just a casual video in his bedroom.
You may not know him outside India, but that’s the point, Instagram is now truly global. With 1.4 billion people in India, even creators you’ve never heard of can rack up world-record numbers.
#3 – Lionel Messi (53M Likes)
Number 3 with 53M likes: Lionel Messi in bed the morning after winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, trophy by his side. Simple, raw, unforgettable.
#2 – World Record Egg (60M Likes)
#2 with 60M likes we have my absolute favorite entry on this list, the World Record Egg.
Literally just a stock photo of an egg that dethroned Kylie Jenner’s previous #1 position at the time with 18M likes.
Proof that sometimes the internet unites behind the weirdest ideas. Virality doesn’t always need a face.
#1 – Lionel Messi (74M Likes)
And finally, the most liked Instagram post ever: Messi celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar, with 74M likes.
Messi appears four times on this list.
Why?
Because the world wanted this fairy-tale ending. And I believe during the final, the entire world rooted for him to win it, except the French of course.
He’s the most humble, legendary footballer of all time and this was his moment. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.
Conclusion
The most-liked posts on Instagram say a lot about what the internet values.
Sometimes it’s celebrities, sometimes it’s a meme egg, sometimes it’s pure emotion.
The common thread? They all strike at the right emotional chord at the right time.
For creators, that’s the lesson: your most viral posts won’t come from perfection, they’ll come from resonance.
Learn More
If you want to start your content creation journey or grow and monetize faster as a creator, check the resources in the top menu.
Whether it’s:
I’ve got you covered.
This was Eduard Stinga, and until next time, stay creative.
