Social media evolves fast, but nothing captures collective emotion and engagement quite like Instagram likes. Whether it’s a heartfelt tribute, an iconic sports victory, or a quirky viral sensation, the most liked Instagram posts of all time tell the story of our digital age. In this 2025 updated list, we dive deep into the top-liked content, uncover why they went viral, and share insights into the Instagram algorithm, engagement tactics, and record-breaking trends.
From emotional celebrity posts to world record egg challenges, you’ll find which Instagram posts broke records, made headlines, and still lead the Instagram likes leaderboard. Plus, we’ll answer burning questions like who has the most liked post on Instagram and what’s the most viral photo on Instagram today.
Let’s explore the Instagram posts with the highest likes in history.
List of Most Liked Instagram Posts of All Time
The top liked Instagram posts 2025 list is led by footballers, pop stars, and surprise viral hits. Below is a snapshot of Instagram posts that have earned the most hearts on Instagram:
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Lionel Messi’s World Cup Victory (2022) – Over 75 million likes
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Egg Instagram Like Record (2019) – Over 60 million likes
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Messi Sleeping with Trophy (2022) – Over 55 million likes
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi Chess Ad (2022) – Over 44 million likes
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Ariana Grande’s Wedding Photo (2021) – Over 27 million likes
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Zendaya Birthday Tribute by Tom Holland (2023) – Over 26 million likes
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BTS ‘Butter’ Promotion (2021) – Over 25 million likes
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Selena Gomez with Friends Post (2023) – Over 24 million likes
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Billie Eilish Blonde Hair Reveal (2021) – Over 23 million likes
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Sunset Video by @jiangzhibin24 (2023) – Over 33.8 million likes
These Instagram posts with highest likes aren't just pretty pictures , they represent record-breaking Instagram moments, storytelling, celebrity culture, and massive fan engagement.
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Most Liked Photo in Instagram History
Currently, the most liked photo in Instagram history is Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup win post. This series of celebratory images showcases Messi hoisting the trophy, surrounded by joyous teammates. With over 75 million likes, it surpassed the long-reigning egg post and stunned the digital world.
This wasn’t just a football moment; it became one of the most engaging Instagram content types, showing the platform’s global reach and emotional power. For many, it answered the question: what is the most liked Instagram picture?
Why did it resonate?
- It marked a historic moment: Messi finally clinching a long-coveted World Cup.
- It came after years of media speculation and public support.
- It triggered an emotional response from football fans worldwide.
The post also benefited from Instagram’s Explore page algorithm, cementing its status among the most viral photos on Instagram 2024 and beyond.
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Lionel Messi’s World Cup Post That Broke Records
Lionel Messi’s top liked post is more than a photo , it's a story of perseverance and national pride. Posted shortly after Argentina's victory in Qatar 2022, the carousel of photos includes Messi holding the trophy and hugging teammates. With over 75 million likes as of 2025, this post holds the crown for most hearts on Instagram.
Why did it break the Instagram like count history?
- It united sports fans globally, regardless of nationality.
- Celebrities and influencers reshared or commented on the post.
- It aligned with trending hashtags and global events.
This post also solidified Messi as the Instagram post record holder, overtaking even the quirky viral egg. The engagement rate was off the charts, making it one of Instagram’s most engaging posts ever.
The Viral Egg Post That Still Stands Strong
Before Messi claimed the throne, a world record Instagram post by an anonymous egg account (@world_record_egg) held the title for nearly four years. With a simple caption: “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram,” this image garnered over 60 million likes and still ranks second in 2025.
Did the egg post break a record? Yes , in 2019, it beat Kylie Jenner’s previous record.
So why did it go viral?
- It tapped into collective humor and internet irony.
- It was a challenge against celebrity dominance.
- It had shareable, meme-worthy appeal.
Despite newer competition, it remains one of the most famous Instagram posts and a landmark in the history of Instagram virality trends.
Messi’s Trophy-in-Bed Photo and Why It Went Viral
Another viral masterpiece is Messi’s photo sleeping with the World Cup trophy. This humorous and heartfelt image showed the human side of a sports icon. Garnering over 55 million likes, this post further added to Messi’s reign over the most liked Instagram photos list.
What made this post special?
- It was posted just days after the victory, riding the viral wave.
- It showcased vulnerability and joy , two traits that connect emotionally.
- It added a new angle to an already trending moment.
This photo is a classic case of emotional posts that went viral, reminding us that even global superstars crave authenticity. It's also one of the top most liked sports photos Instagram ever witnessed.
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in a Chess Match
In late 2022, Louis Vuitton posted a visually stunning image of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi playing chess, shot as part of a luxury campaign. The photo quickly became one of the most shared Instagram content pieces and crossed 44 million likes, placing it high among the top trending Instagram posts.
This post worked because:
- It featured two of the most-followed Instagram personalities.
- It united fans of both rivals in admiration.
- It was artistically crafted and sparked conversation.
Cristiano Ronaldo Instagram likes consistently top charts, but this joint post elevated engagement due to its uniqueness and brand backing. It was a strategic content move , combining art, rivalry, and star power.
Other Celebrity Posts That Dominated Instagram
Beyond football, celebrities have ruled the Instagram likes leaderboard:
- Ariana Grande’s wedding in 2021 earned over 27 million likes and became one of the wedding posts with highest likes.
- Tom Holland’s birthday post for Zendaya received 26+ million likes, proving romantic Instagram posts with most likes still thrive.
- BTS’s promotional posts regularly enter the top ranks. Their “Butter” era saw them earning massive likes from loyal ARMYs.
- Selena Gomez most liked Instagram posts often feature candid or friendship-themed moments, loved by her fanbase.
- Billie Eilish Instagram popularity soared with her blonde hair reveal, earning 23 million likes and marking a shift in her public persona.
These influencers demonstrate the strength of most liked celebrity photos, proving that personality, timing, and aesthetics are key to virality.
Factors That Make an Instagram Post Go Viral
So, what makes certain posts explode with engagement?
- Timing: Posting around major events (sports wins, album drops) amplifies reach.
- Emotion: Posts that evoke joy, sorrow, nostalgia, or pride spark more interaction.
- Celebrity Influence: Established fanbases magnify every post.
- Algorithm: Posts that get fast engagement often hit the Explore page.
- Content Format: Carousels, Reels, and high-res portraits tend to perform best.
Understanding these can help analyze Instagram engagement rate by post and prepare your content to ride the wave of Instagram virality trends.
How Engagement Trends Have Changed Since 2022
From 2022 to 2025, the Instagram algorithm and content types have seen a dramatic shift:
- Reels became the most recommended format, boosting engagement across vertical videos.
- Story Highlights and pinned posts now receive more user traffic.
- User-generated content (UGC) and behind-the-scenes posts started outperforming professional shoots.
- Memes and humor-infused posts gained more traction than ever.
These changes reflect evolving audience preferences and are part of the broader transformation of Instagram algorithm and like boost strategies.
Instagram users are now focusing on real-time interaction and authenticity over filters and aesthetics. This shift contributes to more most engaging Instagram content emerging from relatable moments and emotional storytelling.
Instagram Records to Watch for in 2025-2026
The next year could bring new milestones. Here are Instagram records and moments to look out for:
- Upcoming FIFA and Olympics posts are likely to dominate the Instagram explore page records.
- Weddings or baby announcements from celebrities could rival Ariana’s record.
- New global icons like Zendaya or Olivia Rodrigo may enter the top rankings.
- Possible collaborations between mega influencers may generate massive numbers.
- AI-generated influencer content could be a surprise entrant in the social media posts with most interaction.
These trends highlight how dynamic the race for Instagram post record holder has become and how newer formats like Reels and interactive stories could alter future engagement metrics.
Final Thoughts
The most liked Instagram posts of all time are more than statistics , they reflect emotion, culture, global moments, and collective memory. From Messi’s historic World Cup celebration to the quirky Egg challenge, each record-breaking post speaks to our shared experience in the digital era.
As Instagram continues to evolve, engagement will depend less on perfection and more on authenticity, timing, and community interaction. The content that earns the most likes in 2025 and beyond will likely combine relatability, visual appeal, and emotional impact.
Whether you're an influencer or just aiming to grow your presence, understanding what makes a post go viral can help you craft Instagram’s most engaging posts of tomorrow.
FAQ
Who has the most liked post on Instagram?
As of 2025, Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup celebration post holds the title for the most liked Instagram post ever, with over 75 million likes.
What is the most liked Instagram picture?
The most liked Instagram picture is Lionel Messi holding the World Cup trophy after Argentina’s 2022 win.
Which post broke Instagram like record?
The first post to break all previous records was the Egg photo posted in 2019, which overtook Kylie Jenner. It remained on top until Messi’s 2022 World Cup post.
How many likes does the top post have?
Currently, the top post , Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory , has more than 75 million likes.
Did the egg post break a record?
Yes, the egg post set a world record in 2019 by becoming the most liked Instagram post at the time, with over 60 million likes.
What’s the most viral photo on Instagram?
Arguably, the egg photo is the most “viral” due to its grassroots movement, but Messi’s World Cup photo is the most liked and emotionally resonant.