Top 10 Most Liked Instagram Posts of 2024

The most-liked Instagram posts of all time might seem like a no-brainer — globally beloved athletes, celebrities — and some, like a simple egg, decidedly less likely. With 2025 in full swing, let's reflect on the most liked Instagram posts of the past year.

Each year, nearly any post shared on Instagram has the potential to become one of the most-liked posts on the app, however, many posts from previous years continue to retain their spots each year. Let’s take a closer look at the posts published in 2024 that have earned the most likes that year. 

1. Animal Mask Surprise 

• Posted by: @pop_cj6
• Likes: 31M

If it neighs like a horse, and looks like a horse — it might not be a horse! This playful reel captured a hilarious moment where a person surprises a horse by wearing a unicorn mask, revealing themselves to be a person. In the following clip, a person surprises a panda with a panda mask, the look of shock visible in its face and body language. These fun, comedic moments resonated with many different demographics and audiences, contributing to its virality with shares and likes.

2. Mbappé Signs With Real Madrid FC

• Posted by: @k.mbappe
• Likes: 26M

Kylian Mbappé’s blockbuster move to Real Madrid was one of the most anticipated sports announcements of 2024. The post features Mbappé as a teen proudly wearing his Real Madrid sweater at home, in front of his poster with the team, with Cristiano Ronaldo and finally, in front of the Real Madrid sign, showing his longtime support of the team. The combination of his massive fanbase, the sentimental nature of the post, the significance of the transfer and Real Madrid's global popularity contributed to the post’s immense engagement. It also highlights the power of sports moments to generate global buzz and conversation.

3. Bieber’s Baby (Baby Baby Oooh) 

• Posted by: @justinbieber
• Likes: 23M 

Justin Bieber’s announcement of his first child’s birth became a heartfelt moment for fans worldwide, many of whom grew up with the star. The photo, featuring his son’s foot, was simple yet deeply emotional, symbolizing a new chapter in his life. The post’s widespread appeal, the personal nature of the content and the outpouring of love from fans and celebrity peers alike made this post a viral moment.

4. India Wins T20 World Cup

• Posted by: @virat.kohli
• Likes: 22M 

Virat Kohli’s celebration of India’s T20 World Cup win captured the joy and pride of a nation. The post featured a jubilant Kohli holding the trophy and became a viral moment for him and cricket fans. The widespread attention the post receives can be attributed to India’s cricket-crazed fanbase, the significance of the win and Kohli’s position as a national icon.

5. BTS’s V and IU’s Photobooth Snaps 

• Posted by: @thv
• Likes: 18M 

BTS member V shared candid photobooth snaps with fellow K-pop superstar IU, sparking widespread excitement among their massive fanbases. The casual, intimate vibe of the photos showcased their friendship, which felt authentic and special to fans, who crave behind-the-scenes and personal moments from highly-managed K-Pop stars. The post’s popularity was driven by the combined reach of their dedicated audiences and the novelty of seeing two beloved stars together.

Instagram’s most-liked posts are a great reflection of how social media reaches global audiences. From the best sports accounts from worldwide phenomenons like Messi to captivating scenery, sports-related posts — European football in particular — dominate this list. The following posts reflect the reach and influence of football and sports marketing, along with the emotional response many fans have to the game. So, which three posts that do not involve sports made the cut? Keep reading to find out.

1. Paris Saint-Germain Wins 2022 FIFA World Cup

• Posted by: @leomessi 
• Likes: 75M

Lionel Messi celebrating Argentina’s FIFA World Cup victory is Instagram’s most-liked post. The image captures Messi holding the iconic trophy in a moment that marked his legacy as one of the greatest players in history. This post’s virality was driven by the sheer scale of the event, Messi’s massive global fanbase and the emotional significance of the long-awaited win.

2. A Photo of an Egg

• Posted by: @world_record_egg
• Likes: 60M

A simple request — “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. Beating the current world record held by Kylie Jenner (18 million)” — catapulted a simple photo of an egg to the number two most-liked Instagram photo of all-time. 

The infamous egg quickly became a cultural phenomenon — the simplicity and humor struck a chord with millions, a beautiful example of collective internet humor and absurdity.

3. Messi Cuddles FIFA World Cup Trophy 

• Posted by: @leomessi 
• Likes: 54M

​​This touching image of Messi embracing the World Cup trophy highlights the personal and professional triumphs of one of football’s best-known and greatest players. This post was shared just days after Argentina’s win, resonating emotionally with fans worldwide.

4. Rinaldo and Messi Play Chess for Louis Vuitton

• Posted by: @cristiano 
• Likes: 42M

Two football legends, Ronaldo and Messi, appeared together in a Louis Vuitton campaign to promote their luggage line, playing chess on a suitcase. The post combines the star power of two global icons — with Ronaldo being the second-most followed person on Instagram — along with luxury branding (connecting the checkerboard to their well-known pattern), making the combination irresistible to millions of fans.

5. Messi and World Cup Trophy Take Flight 

• Posted by: @leomessi
• Likes: 41M

This celebratory post shows Messi and his (unseen) teammates traveling home with the World Cup trophy, a visual representation of his triumph. Any content centering on a major football win seems to catapult to viral status, and the ‘behind the scenes’ nature of the post (taken on a private plane) caters to fan’s excitement and thirst for personal content from players. 

6. Messi Celebrates 2022 FIFA World Cup Win

• Posted by: @leomessi
• Likes: 34M

Messi’s continued celebration of Argentina’s World Cup victory solidified his connection with fans, particularly in this post highlighting Messi and his fans celebrating in Argentina. The energy, timing and celebratory nature of these posts contribute to the huge amount of likes his posts receive. 

7. Rinaldo Joins Al Nassr FC

• Posted by: @cristiano and @alnassr
• Likes: 34M

Cristiano Ronaldo’s announcement of his transfer to Al Nassr FC was a monumental career move for himself and evidently, his fans. His global following and the significance of this decision helped the post go viral, while the Instagram collab post with the club amplified its reach.

8. Sky on Fire 

• Posted by: @jiangzhibin24
• Likes: 34M

A mesmerizing Instagram Reel of a vibrant sunset sky captured the attention of millions. The post’s universal appeal and stunning visuals resonated across cultures, making it one of the most-liked nature posts.

9. Portugal Is Eliminated From World Cup

• Posted by: @cristiano
• Likes: 34M

Ronaldo’s heartfelt message following Portugal’s World Cup elimination showcased vulnerability and sportsmanship, a change from the viral posts typically showing celebration and victory. The raw emotion resonated with fans, while highlighting the highs and lows of competitive sports.

10. XXXtentacion’s Last Post

• Posted by: @xxxtentacion
• Likes: 34M

The late rapper XXXTentacion’s final post holds deep emotional significance for his fans. As a poignant reminder of his impact, this post became a virtual memorial, amplifying its engagement with users leaving comments even years later.

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