The creator gained massive traction after a November 2023 video at Keralamkundu Waterfall, where he kicked a ball behind cascading water, surpassed 600 million views. That stunt secured a Guinness World Record on January 8, 2024, as the platform's most-viewed reel at the time. With around 2.7 million followers, he has now been named among 25 global creators receiving Instagram's Rings Award 2026. This viral reach also earned him an invitation from the Argentina Football Association to watch Lionel Messi play in Buenos Aires.
Key points
Independent creators can achieve major global recognition and platform awards without rel…: Independent creators can achieve major global recognition and platform awards without relying on traditional agents or career pathways.
Viral social media success can lead to prestigious international sporting invitations and…: Viral social media success can lead to prestigious international sporting invitations and official Guinness World Records.
Profile perks and custom physical honors like Connemara marble rings reward creators demo…: Profile perks and custom physical honors like Connemara marble rings reward creators demonstrating exceptional digital originality.
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A football, a waterfall and one carefully timed kick. In November 2023, Muhammed Riswan filmed a short video at Keralamkundu Waterfall in Kerala's Malappuram district. He kicked a football towards the waterfall, making it appear as though the ball had disappeared behind the falling water. The clip was meant to be a fun video with friends. It went on to attract more than 600 million views on
Instagram.
Nearly three years later, the freestyle footballer from Kerala has received another international recognition. Riswan is among the 25 global creators selected for Instagram's Rings Award 2026. He is one of two Indian winners, with the other being model Bhavitha Mandava.
Instagram's recognition comes after the video took him from a local waterfall to a worldwide audience. The platform described him as a Kerala footballer “whose gravity-defying skills and 600 million Reel views have taken him from local pitches to a global stage.”
The waterfall kick that changed his life
Riswan's viral video was filmed at Keralamkundu Waterfall in Malappuram and posted on November 18, 2023. It shows him kicking a football…
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