Lisbon, September 4, 2024 — Cristiano Ronaldo, renowned for his relentless drive on the football field, is now setting ambitious goals off the pitch. The Portuguese superstar has revealed his latest aspiration: to surpass MrBeast, the American YouTube sensation, in subscriber numbers.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Portugal’s Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Scotland, Ronaldo declared, “MrBeast on YouTube? In two years, let’s try to beat him.” MrBeast, whose real name is James Donaldson, currently leads the YouTube world with a staggering 313 million subscribers.
Ronaldo, who launched his YouTube channel ‘UR Cristiano’ on August 21, has already made headlines by becoming the fastest-growing channel ever. According to Sports Business Journal, Ronaldo achieved over one million subscribers in under 90 minutes, setting a new record.
As of September 4, Ronaldo’s channel boasts 56.5 million subscribers, a remarkable feat considering it has been live for only a short period. His YouTube content includes personal videos with his family, interviews, and insights into his life in Saudi Arabia, where he currently plays for Al Nassr.
Despite his football career nearing its end, Ronaldo is clearly intent on diversifying his achievements. When asked about retirement, he stated, “When the time comes, I will move on. It won’t be a difficult decision to make. If I feel like I am no longer contributing anything, I will be the first to leave.”
Ronaldo’s move into the digital space mirrors his on-field tenacity. While Lionel Messi, his long-time rival, has 3.3 million subscribers on YouTube, Ronaldo’s channel launched with a powerful start, tripling that number in just one day.
With his sights set on dethroning MrBeast, Ronaldo’s foray into YouTube is proving to be as competitive as his football career. Fans and digital media watchers alike will be keenly observing if the football icon can translate his athletic success into a digital triumph.