The Mexican starlet added 5.7 million new followers on Instagram and was only behind some really big names.
Only five players surpassed Gilberto Mora at the World Cup… and they are all legends
Gilberto Mora’s impact at the 2026 World Cup wasn’t limited to what he did on the field. While dazzling fans with his performances, he also took social media by storm. The Mexican national team sensation finished the tournament as the sixth-fastest-growing soccer player on Instagram, highlighting the remarkable global profile he has built.
With 5.7 million new followers, Mora ranked behind only Vozinha, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Lionel Messi, joining an exclusive list reserved for the biggest stars in world soccer.
Only the game’s biggest stars gained more followers than Mora
The players who gained the most Instagram followers during the 2026 World Cup were:
- Vozinha: 28.4 million (an exceptional case)
- Erling Haaland: 24 million
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 10 million
- Neymar Jr.: 6.5 million
- Lionel Messi: 5.8 million
- Gilberto Mora: 5.7 million
Mora finished just 100,000 followers behind Messi, a reflection of the global reach the young Mexican star achieved during the tournament.
Mora: the face of a new Mexico
Mora’s meteoric rise is no accident. At just 18 years old, he emerged as one of the breakout stars of the World Cup thanks to his personality, talent, and decisive performances for Mexico.
His emergence captured the attention of fans around the world, who began following the young midfielder’s career after each game for El Tri.
A star just starting to shine
While millions of people were introduced to Gilberto Mora during the World Cup, the Mexican also established himself as one of international soccer’s brightest young stars away from the field.
Finishing among the top six players for Instagram follower growth, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, and Haaland, confirms that the World Cup did more than elevate his playing career – it also turned him into one of the sport’s fastest-rising global personalities.
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