Freestyle Footballer Muhammed Riswan Named Among Instagram Rings 2026 Winners

Recognition and Impact

Freestyle footballer Muhammed Riswan from Malappuram, Kerala, has been selected as one of the 25 global recipients of the Instagram Rings creator awards. This recognition, announced on October 29, highlights his contribution to digital content creation through his freestyle football skills.

Journey to Professional Freestyling

Riswan’s career path shifted after a teenage arm fracture prevented him from playing traditional football. He turned to freestyle techniques during his recovery, eventually building a significant digital presence with over 2.7 million Instagram followers.

Key career milestones include:

• Viral Success: A video filmed at the Keralamkundu waterfall in November 2023 secured over 600 million views, earning him a Guinness World Record in January 2024.
• Instagram Rings: Riswan is one of two Indian creators, alongside fashion creator Bhavitha Mandava, to win this year's award.
• Global Exposure: He was invited by the Argentine football team to attend a Lionel Messi game at Estadio Monumental in 2025.

About the Instagram Rings

The Rings program is an initiative designed to celebrate impactful content creators across various niches. The selection process for the second edition involved a 14-member jury, featuring prominent figures such as A$AP Rocky, Donatella Versace, and Vikas Khanna. Winners are selected based on their creative influence and engagement. Users can monitor future announcements and verify official award criteria via Instagram’s verified creator portals and official communications channels.