The Unstoppable Top 5: Unpacking The Most Liked Insta Post Of All Time (75M+ Likes)

As of December 2025, the title for the most liked Instagram post of all time remains firmly held by Argentine football legend, Lionel Messi. His celebratory carousel of images following Argentina's dramatic victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final has amassed a staggering number of likes, currently soaring past the 75 million mark, cementing its place as a true cultural phenomenon. This record-breaking achievement underscores how moments of global, collective emotion—particularly in sport—can transcend the platform's usual celebrity and influencer content, creating an unparalleled connection with billions of users worldwide. This article dives deep into the post that shattered the internet, explores the emotional and strategic reasons behind its monumental success, and lists the other viral contenders—from the infamous "World Record Egg" to posts by other global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylie Jenner—that have shaped the history of Instagram's ultimate like count. We will analyze the powerful entities and social trends that drive these records, providing a definitive, up-to-date breakdown of the platform’s most celebrated moments.

The Record-Breaker: Lionel Messi's World Cup Triumph

The current most liked Instagram post is a carousel of ten images shared by Lionel Messi on December 18, 2022. The primary image captures a moment of pure, unadulterated joy: Messi hoisting the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy high above his head in the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. The caption, written in Spanish, translates to a heartfelt message about a dream come true, dedicated to his family, supporters, and the entire Argentine nation. The post quickly eclipsed the previous record holder, the anonymous "World Record Egg," within 48 hours, demonstrating the immense global reach and emotional resonance of Messi's victory. The post is a monument to a career-defining achievement, symbolizing the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for one of the greatest athletes in history.

Lionel Andrés Messi: Full Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Born: June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
• Nationality: Argentine
• Spouse: Antonela Roccuzzo (m. 2017)
• Children: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro
• Primary Sport: Football (Soccer)
• Current Club: Inter Miami CF (Major League Soccer)
• Career Highlights & Records:
• Record eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or award.
• Won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
• All-time leading goalscorer for both Argentina and the club FC Barcelona.
• Over 890 senior career goals for club and country.
• Won the Copa América in 2021.
• Instagram Followers: Over 500 million, making him one of the most-followed people on the platform, second only to the official Instagram account.

Why Messi’s Post Shattered the Instagram Like Record

The monumental success of Messi's World Cup post, which has over 20 million more likes than its nearest competitor, is not merely a testament to his individual fame. It is a confluence of several powerful social media and cultural factors that created a perfect storm of virality.

The Global Emotional Resonance of a 'Completed Story'

For years, the one major trophy missing from Lionel Messi's cabinet was the FIFA World Cup. His victory in 2022 was widely viewed as the final, perfect chapter in the career of a generational talent, a narrative that resonated far beyond football fans. This was not just a sports victory; it was a universally understood story of perseverance, redemption, and achieving a lifelong goal. The emotional outpouring was global, driven by both his fans and neutral observers who appreciated the magnitude of the moment.

The Power of the 'Goat' Rivalry

The intense, long-standing rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, often debated as the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT), played a significant role. The World Cup win, for many, settled the GOAT debate, leading a massive wave of supporters to like the post as a symbolic vote in the rivalry. Interestingly, the second-highest-liked post featuring a sportsperson is a joint advertisement with Ronaldo for Louis Vuitton, highlighting the commercial power of their combined star quality.

The 'World Record' Intention and Collective Liking

The previous record holder, the "World Record Egg," was explicitly created to break the record held by Kylie Jenner's birth announcement in 2018. This collective, gamified effort to set a new record became a viral trend in itself. When Messi's post started gaining traction, a similar, organic movement began, fueled by fan pages and cultural commentators urging the public to push the post past the Egg and establish a new, meaningful record. This intentional, community-driven liking amplified its reach exponentially.

The Legendary Contenders: Top 5 Most Liked Instagram Posts

While Messi holds the crown, the history of the most liked post is a fascinating timeline of cultural moments, celebrity power, and internet mischief. These posts are the core entities that define the platform's like-count history.

1. Lionel Messi's World Cup Victory (2022)
   • Likes: 75M+
   • Posted By: @leomessi
   • Context: A carousel of images celebrating Argentina's FIFA World Cup win. It represents the pinnacle of a legendary career.
2. The World Record Egg (2019)
   • Likes: 60M+
   • Posted By: @world_record_egg (Creator: Chris Godfrey)
   • Context: A simple photo of a brown egg, posted with the sole intention of breaking the record previously held by Kylie Jenner. It is the ultimate symbol of internet absurdity and collective action.
3. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Vuitton Ad (2022)
   • Likes: 42M+
   • Posted By: @cristiano (and mirrored by Messi)
   • Context: A photograph of the two football icons playing chess on a Louis Vuitton suitcase, part of a promotional campaign. This historic collaboration captured the attention of both fan bases globally.
4. 'Sleeping with the Trophy' - Lionel Messi (2022)
   • Likes: 41M+
   • Posted By: @leomessi
   • Context: A candid image of Messi sleeping in his bed next to the World Cup trophy. This intimate, humanizing post was shared shortly after the victory, offering a glimpse into his personal joy.
5. Kylie Jenner's Baby Announcement (2018)
   • Likes: 25M+
   • Posted By: @kyliejenner
   • Context: The first photo of her daughter, Stormi Webster, which held the record for the most-liked photo for nearly a year before being dethroned by the Egg. This post highlights the immense power and engagement of the Kardashian-Jenner family on the platform.

The Future of Viral Instagram Content: What It Takes to Break the Record

The history of the most liked post reveals a clear pattern: the record is broken not just by the most famous people, but by posts that tap into a massive, shared cultural moment. The entities that drive these records are shifting. The early records were dominated by individual celebrity milestones (Kylie Jenner's daughter, Justin Bieber's engagement). The current record is driven by a global sporting event and a universally loved figure (Lionel Messi). The key to breaking the 75 million like barrier in the future will likely involve one of the following scenarios: * A Global Cataclysmic Event: A unifying moment of global significance, whether a massive natural event, a major world peace announcement, or a collective moment of mourning (like the passing of a major figure such as Queen Elizabeth II or Pelé, whose own tribute posts garnered tens of millions of likes). * The Next Sporting Pinnacle: Another career-defining moment for a universally acclaimed athlete, such as an Olympic gold medal for a long-suffering champion or a major sports team (like Real Madrid FC or a major NBA star) achieving a historic, long-awaited victory. * The Intentional Viral Campaign: A highly coordinated, meme-driven effort like the "World Record Egg," but with a more compelling, current-day focus, perhaps involving a massive celebrity like Taylor Swift or a major pop culture entity like Billie Eilish, who has also previously held a top spot with a simple photo. * A Major Celebrity Announcement: A truly shocking or unexpected life event from a figure with a colossal following, such as a major wedding, an unannounced baby, or a highly anticipated collaboration between two cultural titans like Tom Holland and Zendaya. For now, the image of Lionel Messi holding the World Cup trophy remains the gold standard, a powerful reminder that on Instagram, collective human emotion—whether joy, humor, or shared purpose—is the ultimate currency.