Declan Rice’s growing reputation as one of the world’s best midfielders isn’t just stopping on the pitch but also off it.
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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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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Fast forward 48 hours and he’s now at 4.2 million, and counting.
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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.
Declan Rice and the best 9 free kicks in Champions League history
Declan Rice’s “Ferocious Free-Kick” Masterclass
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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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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.
