Can World Cup's viral stars turn social media fame into fortunes?

Viral World Cup stars can rapidly convert social media attention into financial opportunities, but the upside may be short-lived. The article cites Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, who became a global sensation in about 90 minutes after his performance against Spain produced a surprising 0-0 draw during the group stage. His Instagram follower count jumped from 50,000 to 17.4 million, overtaking NFL legend Tom Brady, who has 15.5 million. Media expert Mike Serazio said viral fame rises quickly and can fade just as fast. Brooke Duffy, a digital and social media scholar at Cornell University, noted that influencers with millions of followers can seek payments in the six-figure range, with brand partnerships and advertisers paying for individual posts. She also said followers function as a form of currency that can correlate with higher income.