What if a single photograph could unite over 74 million people around the world in a single emotional moment, which is no film trailer, no album, and has no advertising budget required?
That’s exactly what happened on December 18, 2022, when Lionel Messi held up the FIFA World Cup Trophy for the very first time in his career. Within 39 minutes of posting, the image had already crossed 10 million likes. Within 24 hours? Over 50 million. And it’s still climbing.
If you’ve ever asked, “What Instagram post has the most likes?” You’re not alone. It’s one of the most searched social media questions on the internet, and the answer is more fascinating than most people expect. It’s not a movie star’s glamour shot. It’s not a brand campaign. It’s a real human moment, raw, triumphant, and universally felt.
In this article, we break down the most liked Instagram post of all time, the full Top 10 list, what makes these posts explode in engagement, and what creators, brands, and marketers can actually learn from them.
The Most Liked Instagram Post of All Time (2026)
Here is the record of the most liked Instagram posts:
#1. Lionel Messi’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Victory Post (~75 Million Likes)
Account: @leomessi
Posted: December 18, 2022
Likes: 74,986,356+ (as of May 2026)
The most liked Instagram post in history is a carousel post by Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, showing him lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy after Argentina defeated France in the dramatic Qatar 2022 final. The post’s caption — “CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO!!!!!!!” (“World Champions!!!”) — reflected years of heartbreak, perseverance, and national pride condensed into one triumphant image.
Why it broke every record:
- It reached 10 million likes in just 39 minutes after posting
- It crossed 50 million likes in 24 hours — a first in Instagram history
- It became the most liked post across all social media platforms, surpassing the YouTube Despacito music video (50M likes)
- It was the first Instagram post ever to reach 60 million, then 70 million likes
- It was officially verified by Guinness World Records on March 24, 2023
The emotional power was undeniable. For years, fans debated whether Messi could truly be the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) without a World Cup title. His 2022 victory answered that question in real time, and 75 million people liked to say they were there.
Top 10 Most Liked Instagram Posts of All Time (May 2026)
| Rank | Post | Creator | Approx. Likes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022 World Cup Victory Carousel | Lionel Messi (@leomessi) | ~75 Million |
| 2 | Photo of an Egg | @world_record_egg | ~60.9 Million |
| 3 | “Buen día!” – Sleeping with the World Cup Trophy | Lionel Messi (@leomessi) | ~53.6 Million |
| 4 | “Jeene Laga Hoon” Reel | Kishore Mondal | ~52 Million |
| 5 | Twin Pregnancy Announcement | Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) | ~42–43 Million |
| 6 | Messi & Ronaldo Chess Ad (Louis Vuitton) | Lionel Messi (@leomessi) | ~42.8 Million |
| 7 | Baby with Insta360 Cap Video | Viral Account | ~48 Million |
| 8 | “LOVE IS WAR” – Last Instagram Post | XXXTentacion | ~27+ Million |
| 9 | Daughter Stormi Birth Announcement | Kylie Jenner | ~22+ Million |
| 10 | Taylor Swift Engagement Announcement | Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) | ~30+ Million |
Note: Like counts are dynamic and continue to grow. Data sourced from Instagram, Guinness World Records, Brandwatch, and Statista (as of early 2026).
The Full Story Behind Each Record-Breaking Post
#2. The World Record Egg (~60.9 Million Likes)
Before Messi came along, an anonymous egg ruled Instagram.
On January 4, 2019, an account called @world_record_egg posted a single image: a plain brown egg on a white background. The caption was direct: “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram.” At the time, the reigning record was held by Kylie Jenner’s birth announcement at 18.6 million likes.
In just 9 days, the egg surpassed Jenner’s record. In the weeks that followed, it climbed to over 60 million likes, crossing every demographic from Gen Z to mainstream media. It later revealed itself to be part of a mental health awareness campaign focused on the social pressures of social media use.
Takeaway: Authenticity, humor, and community participation can outperform even the biggest celebrities.
#3. Messi Sleeping with the Trophy (~53.6 Million Likes)
Two days after his World Cup-winning post, Messi posted a seemingly casual photo: him lying in bed, the golden FIFA trophy resting at his side. Caption: “Buen día!” (Good morning!)
This follow-up post gathered 53.6 million likes, making it the third-most liked post on Instagram. It worked because it offered a rare behind-the-scenes, human moment, the world’s greatest footballer in a quiet, relatable scene after the loudest night of his career.
#4. Kishore Mondal’s “Jeene Laga Hoon” Reel (~52 Million Likes)
A major new entry in 2025, this Reel by Indian singing influencers Kishore Mondal and his brother features a captivating, live rendition of the popular Bollywood track “Jeene Laga Hoon.” Posted in April 2025, it accumulated over 52 million likes, rocketing into the top five of Instagram’s all-time list.
This is a landmark moment: the first non-celebrity, non-sports post to crack the top 5 most liked posts of all time. It demonstrates that genuine musical talent + emotional storytelling can reach a global scale without a major brand or celebrity label.
#5. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Twin Pregnancy Announcement (~43 Million Likes)
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has the most followers on Instagram, posted a photo of himself and Georgina Rodríguez holding ultrasound images with the caption “Delighted to announce we are expecting twins.” The post earned approximately 43 million likes, proving that life milestone announcements resonate powerfully with large follower bases.
#6. Messi & Ronaldo Chess Ad for Louis Vuitton (~42.8 Million Likes)
This Louis Vuitton campaign photo, featuring both Messi and Ronaldo seated across a chessboard, gathered 42.8 million likes. It captured the imagination of football fans worldwide, two GOAT-level rivals, together, in a single frame.
What Makes a Post Become the Most Liked on Instagram?
Analyzing the top posts, clear patterns emerge across all record-breaking content:
1. Universal Emotional Resonance
The most liked content always triggers a shared emotional response, whether joy, grief, pride, humor, or nostalgia. Messi’s World Cup win wasn’t just a football post; it was the answer to a global question millions of fans had been asking for decades.
2. Perfect Timing and Cultural Relevance
Every top-performing post arrived at the exact moment the world was already paying attention. Messi posted immediately after Argentina won, when global search and engagement for that event were at their absolute peak.
3. Authentic Storytelling Over Polished Production
From the sleeping-with-trophy photo to the World Record Egg, these posts weren’t produced with expensive setups. Their power came from truth and simplicity.
4. Massive Pre-Existing Audience + Cross-Platform Amplification
Record-breaking posts rarely exist in isolation. They’re discussed on Twitter/X, shared on WhatsApp, embedded in news articles, and debated on YouTube. The Instagram like count is often the last step, the “official” metric of a viral moment already in motion.
5. Carousel Format Advantage
Messi’s #1 post is a carousel (multiple images). Research consistently shows carousels outperform single images in reach and engagement; the platform’s algorithm rewards them with additional impressions.
Instagram’s Engagement Evolution: What the Data Tells Us
The race for Instagram’s most liked post reflects a broader shift in platform dynamics:
- 2018: Celebrity birth announcements dominated (Kylie Jenner’s 18.6M likes set the record)
- 2019: Grassroots viral challenges took over (The World Record Egg, 60M+)
- 2022: Global sporting moments redefined the ceiling (Messi, 75M+)
- 2025–2026: Organic Reels from non-celebrities enter the top 5 (Kishore Mondal, 52M)
This trajectory shows that authenticity is replacing celebrity privilege as the primary driver of mass engagement.
Additionally, Instagram’s algorithm in 2026 weighs saves, shares, and comments alongside likes — meaning that posts with the highest like counts also tend to perform exceptionally well across all engagement metrics.
Most Liked Instagram Posts by Category
- Sports: Lionel Messi dominates with 6 of the top 20 most liked posts.
- Music: Kishore Mondal’s Reel marks a new frontier for organic music content.
- Celebrity Lifestyle: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylie Jenner lead with relationship and family announcements.
- Viral Challenges: The World Record Egg remains the undisputed champion of community-driven virality.
- Pop Culture: Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement entered the top 20 within 24 hours.
What Brands and Creators Can Learn From These Posts
The most liked Instagram posts are not accidents; they are the product of emotion, timing, and genuine connection. Here’s what you can apply:
- Post during peak cultural moments. Align your content with real-time events your audience deeply cares about.
- Lead with authentic emotion. Staged perfection gets skipped; raw, real moments earn saves and shares.
- Use carousel posts for important announcements. They naturally encourage multiple views and extended engagement.
- Build a community narrative. The World Record Egg proved that giving people a reason to participate creates exponential sharing.
- Don’t underestimate small accounts. Both the Egg and Kishore Mondal’s Reel came from relatively unknown accounts, until they didn’t.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q1: What post has the most likes on Instagram in 2026?
A: As of May 2026, the most liked Instagram post is Lionel Messi’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory carousel, posted on December 18, 2022. The post has garnered over 74 million likes and holds the record for the most liked post on any social media platform globally. It was officially recognized by Guinness World Records on March 24, 2023.
Q2: What was the most liked Instagram post before Messi?
A: Before Messi’s World Cup post broke the record in December 2022, the title was held by the famous “Photo of an Egg” posted by @world_record_egg on January 4, 2019. That post collected over 60.9 million likes and held the record for nearly four years. Before the egg, the record was held by Kylie Jenner’s birth announcement for her daughter Stormi, which reached 18.6 million likes in 2018.
Q3: How many likes did Messi’s World Cup post get in 24 hours?
A: Lionel Messi’s World Cup post received over 50 million likes within its first 24 hours, setting a record for the most liked Instagram post in a single day. It also crossed 10 million likes in just 39 minutes, which makes it the fastest post in Instagram history to reach that milestone at the time.
Q4: Does Cristiano Ronaldo have any of the most liked Instagram posts?
A: Yes. Cristiano Ronaldo holds 5 spots in the top 20 most liked Instagram posts of all time. His highest-ranking individual post is a twin pregnancy announcement with Georgina Rodríguez, which earned approximately 43 million likes. He also appears alongside Messi in the Louis Vuitton chess campaign post, which drew ~42.8 million likes.
Q5: Can a non-celebrity post become the most liked on Instagram?
A: Absolutely, and it has happened twice. The World Record Egg by an anonymous account remains the second-most liked post of all time with ~60.9 million likes. More recently, Kishore Mondal’s viral Reel crossed 52 million likes in 2025, entering the top 5 without any pre-existing celebrity status.