The Arsenal star crossed the 4 million followers threshold on Instagram after his free-kick masterclass against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Declan Rice’s growing reputation as one of the world’s best midfielders isn’t just stopping the pitch but also off it too.
The Arsenal star has seen his follower count on Instagram erupt, after delivering a jaw-dropping Champions League performance in their 3-0 win against Real Madrid.
In just 48 hours, Rice gained a staggering 300,000 new followers, surpassing the 4 million mark on Instagram as his social media stocks continue to receive a boost.
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Declan Rice celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Real Madrid (Credit: Instagram)
Before Tuesday night’s electric quarter-final first-leg at the Emirates, a quick check showed that Rice was sitting at a respectable 3.9 million followers.
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Credit: Instagram/Declan Rice
Fast forward 48 hours and he’s now at 4.2 million, and counting.
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Credit: Instagram/Declan Rice
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Declan Rice was the MOTM on a fairytale Champions League night that saw him score two worldie free-kicks against Real Madrid | UEFA.com
It’s no surprise the spike came after what fans are calling an “iconic” night in north London, where Rice delivered two stunning free-kicks that left Madrid shell-shocked.
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The UEFA Champions League has witnessed some of football’s most breathtaking moments, and few things are as exhilarating as a perfectly executed free kick. Here, we look at 10 of the best free-kicks ever scored in Champions League history.
Declan Rice’s “Ferocious Free-Kick” Masterclass
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Declan Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal with a stunning free-kick goal in the 58th minute | Credit: IMAGO
Arsenal’s first leg clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday night only started to deliver the goals in the second half following moments of dominance by the Premier League side.
Having been denied by Thibaut Courtois before the break, Rice hit a ferocious free-kick in the 58th minute to break the deadlock at the Emirates, leaving the Real Madrid goalkeeper helpless as it curled inside the post.
Then, just twelve minutes later, the Three Lions star struck again.
In the 70th minute, Rice stood over another dead ball and delivered with deadly precision, leaving many fans in disbelief.
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Declan Rice celebrates after scoring two free-kicks against Real Madrid | Credit: IMAGO
Mikel Merino compounded Los Blancos’ woes, adding a third in the 75th minute, before Eduardo Camavinga got sent off in added time to sum up a miserable night for the visitors.
The performance didn’t just send Arsenal into a strong position ahead of next week’s return leg at Madrid but it also turned Rice into a social media star overnight.
Declan Rice’s name trended worldwide, highlight reels flooded social media, and his follower count continues to grow by the minute.
