Lionel Messi

After winning his first major international trophy, Lionel Messi posted a picture with a wide smile holding the Copa América trophy and it quickly became the most-liked photo of an athlete on Instagram ever.

While it isn’t shocking to see so many people come to support one of the greatest footballers ever in his first international trophy at the age of 34, it intrigued me in wondering what other athletes can garner this amount of attention and love on social media. 

Here we take a look through the most-liked social media posts made by athletes from all around the world. 

BUENOS AIRES — Hernán Mastrángelo, a 100-year-old grandfather in Argentina, has gone viral after it emerged that for years he had been taking handwritten notes of almost every goal scored by local hero and Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Mastrángelo, a chocolate maker by profession, made it his hobby to keep track of each of Messi's goals, an achievement his grandson Julián has announced on social media, catching people's imagination including the striker himself.

While FC Spartak Moscow might not be the best on the pitch or even near it, but its social media team is undefeated. The club's TikTok account has garnered over 33 million total likes throughout their posts, nearly three times the number of citizens in the home city of Moscow. They are by far the best soccer TikTok account and their videos are a must-see for any soccer fan.

Lionel Messi’s first major international trophy for Argentina was a feel-good moment for the world. I don’t think soccer fans can take anymore Messi tears after losing in a final. The Argentina Copa América celebrations spanned across the globe and are worth watching — so long as you’re not Brazilian.

Argentina Copa América Celebrations

Pitbull may claim to be Mr. Worldwide, however, I don’t think he has the facilities to make the world go this crazy over him.