Over 1,200 football players have experienced a substantial surge in their Instagram followers since the World Cup commenced three weeks ago, with many players seeing financial benefits from the increased visibility. Players are reportedly earning $10 for every 1,000 followers they gain.
Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Josimar José Évora Dias, widely known as Vozinha, has seen the most dramatic rise. Following a pivotal game-saving block against Spain on June 15, Vozinha's follower count on Instagram increased by 17.2 million. This surge is estimated to have earned him approximately $172,738.
According to a report from Better Collective, Vozinha's growth from relative obscurity to over 17 million followers in three weeks marks a notable social media phenomenon during the tournament. A spokesperson for MyBettingSite.co.uk highlighted that Vozinha gained more followers during the group stage than global stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé combined.
Vozinha described this period as a dream come true. His performance and the team's success, where Cape Verde made history as the smallest nation to reach the knockout stage, have contributed to this remarkable story.
The entire Cape Verde team collectively saw an increase of 18.2 million followers during the group stages.
Other notable players have also benefited. Brazil defender Douglas Santos experienced a 1,199% increase in followers, rising from 192,754 to 2.5 million, an estimated earning of $25,031. Global superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also saw significant gains, with Messi adding 4.6 million followers and Ronaldo gaining 4.3 million.
The World Cup, which began on June 8, has provided a platform for players across various teams to enhance their social media presence and engagement, regardless of their team's performance in terms of wins and losses.