Social media has started playing a huge role in expanding any athlete’s brand in modern times. The top sportspersons in the world have all taken to some form of social media, be it Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, to reach out to their respective fan bases.
Here, we look at the 10 most followed sportspersons on the three most prominent social media platforms.
Instagram – 121 million
Facebook – 122 million
Twitter – 70 million
The Real Madrid and Portugal superstar remains the most widely followed athlete on social media, dwarfing all competition by a country mile. The five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner’s continued success at the top has contributed largely to his massive following and he, along with Lionel Messi, remains the face of the most popular sport in the world.
Instagram – 90 million
Facebook – 60 million
Twitter – 38 million
The Brazilian prodigy had always been a star attraction during his time at Barcelona. His record move to Paris Saint-Germain in the previous summer has only increased his social media imprint, so much so that he is now the second most popular sportsperson. Neymar remains poised to take over the mantle of the world’s best footballer from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and expect his social media following to only increase.
Instagram – 35 million
Facebook – 23 million
Twitter – 40 million
James is flying the NBA flag high in this list with his humongous following. The Cleveland Cavaliers star and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) remains one of the most recognisable names in basketball and it is no surprise to see him feature at the upper-half of the list.
Instagram – 87 million
Facebook – Not on platform
Twitter – Not on platform
The Barcelona and Argentine magician features at the fourth spot only due to his reluctance to join the Twitter and Facebook bandwagon. His Instagram following remains second only to Ronaldo’s. He will be the face of Barcelona for some time to come and remains arguably, the best player to have graced the world of football.
Instagram – 35 million
Facebook – 32 million
Twitter – 16 million
The Colombian footballer has always done well when it comes to social media following. He remains one the biggest names to emerge from his country and his move to Real Madrid helped cement that legacy.
Now plying his trade with Bundesliga behemoths Bayern Munich, James is the third most popular South American footballer on the list.
Instagram – 19 million
Facebook – 37 million
Twitter – 24 million
The India skipper has been rapidly climbing on this list and has now overtaken Sachin Tendulkar to become the most followed cricketer on social media. At the pinnacle of his game, Kohli is redefining cricket stardom with his ultra-loyal set of supporters and with the backing of the second most populous country in the world, this star is only going to get bigger with coming times.
Instagram – 32 million
Facebook – 28 million
Twitter – 16 million
The Welsh and Real Madrid winger’s popularity on social media is nothing to be scoffed at. His move to Real Madrid from Tottenham has seen him lift three UEFA Champions League titles among countless other trophies. He remains the most widely followed British sportsperson, even ahead of the likes of Wayne Rooney.
Instagram – 21 million
Facebook – 26 million
Twitter – 21 million
The Barcelona midfield wizard might be approaching the twilight of his career but his social media following remains top notch. The four times winner of the UEFA Champions League and World Cup winner with Spain is one of the most revered footballers on the planet and will continue to do so in the future.
Instagram – 31 million
Facebook – 15 million
Twitter – 21 million
The German midfielder retains a loyal following from his trophy-laden days at Real Madrid and his move to Arsenal has only helped increase that popularity. The World Cup winner with Germany is the highest ranked Premier League player on the list.
Instagram – 12 million
Facebook – 24 million
Twitter – 17 million
Rooney might be in decline and back to his boyhood club Everton, but that does not stop England and Manchester United’s top-scorer to feature on the list. Having remained synonymous with Manchester United for over a decade, Rooney has always been the most recognisable names from England and he still remains a hugely followed figure in Asia.
