Football players are some of the most followed celebrities on social media in the modern age – but who reigns supreme?
As a professional footballer in the modern game, it is almost expected that you have active accounts on various social media channels. Many players even have PR managers to run them on their behalf.
And, with the opportunity to make even more money and reach an even larger audience than ever before on social media, it comes as no surprise.
Players are able to land sponsorship deals, grow their following, and engage with their audiences like never before using these highly popular platforms.
But which active football players in the game have garnered the highest social media following?
We decided to take a look at the top 5 followed footballers on Facebook & Instagram, who are still actively playing, to give you an idea of who is on the best form with their social media game!
Top 5 followed footballers on Instagram
We’ll kick things off (pun intended) with Instagram. This platform seems to offer players a much higher rate of followers compared to its big brother, Facebook.
No5 – Karim Benzema
French striker Karim Benzema is considered as one of the best forwards in the modern game. His time with Real Madrid and the French national side have solidified such a claim.
Benzema also makes this list, with an impressive following on Instagram of 76+ million at the time of our research!
No4 – Kylian Mbappe
Another French striker who is clearly on top of their Instagram game is Kylian M’bappe. The World Cup winner and PSG frontman clocks in at No4 on this particular list.
M’bappe enjoys a 111+ million following on the popular visual-based platform at the time of writing this article.
No3 – Neymar Jr
It may come as no surprise that Neymar Jr has made it onto our list of most followed football players on social media.
The Brazilian forward is incredibly popular amongst the younger football audiences, and his Instagram following confirms this – he currently has 218+ million followers on the platform.
No2 – Lionel Messi
You just knew that the GOAT would make it on to this list eventually. We’re willing to bet that there isn’t a football fan out there who doesn’t know his name, after all.
The Inter Miami star and World Cup winner currently clocks in with an impressive 497+ million followers on the platform, and with his invigoration of the American game, we expect this to keep growing!
No1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
If Lionel Messi fills the second spot on a list of popularity such as this, it’s kind of a no-brainer as to who must be holding the first place position.
Cristiano Ronaldo is largely considered as one of the greatest to ever play the game, and his Instagram following backs this up.
The former Real Madrid hero has an insane 617+ million followers on the platform, and as with Messi, will probably see this continue to grow with his influence in Saudi Arabia.
Now that we’ve taken a look at who rules the roost on Instagram, what about its big brother, Facebook?
Top 5 followed footballers on Facebook
Facebook doesn’t yield as high a following as Instagram, as a general rule of thumb. However, with Facebook being such an influential social media platform, it was well worth looking which football players were doing the best on it.
No5 – Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos didn’t make the cut when it came to Instagram followings, but he’s right up there when it comes to Facebook!
The Sevilla centre-back and former Real Madrid legend makes the 5th spot with an impressive 38+ million followers at the time of writing this!
No4 – Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema’s media team must be earning their keep – the Frenchman has made it into the top 5 spots for both Instagram and Facebook followings!
Benzema’s Facebook following clocks in at 43+ million, earning him the top 4 spot on this particular list.
No3 – Neymar Jr
It may come as no surprise that Neymar also earns his place in the top 5 for Facebook as well as Instagram.
The Brazilian star boasts a healthy 90+ million following on the platform in addition to his Instagram faithful, placing him in third place.
No2 – Lionel Messi
Shocker, right?
Lionel Messi yet again earns the second place in top followings, boasting an insane 111+ million fans on his Facebook page and being the first player on this list to breach the 100 million mark!
No1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Okay, no points for this one either.
Ronny yet again tops the charts when it comes to followings, clocking in with a whopping 156+ million on Facebook, going along nicely with the more than 600 million people who follow him on Instagram!
Most followed footballers across Facebook AND Instagram…
So, now we know who tops the charts for Facebook and for Instagram – does anything change when it comes to combined followings? Let’s take a look!
No5 – Karim Benzema
Benzema holds a respectable 5th place position for his total following across both platforms.
His 76+ million Instagram followers paired with his 43+ million Facebook faithful gives him a combined following of 119+ million people.
No4 – Kylian Mbappe
M’bappe didn’t make the shortlist when it came to Facebook followings, boasting (only) 17+ million followers on the platform.
However, combined with his 111+ million Instagram followers, he clocks in with a total of 128+ million – earning him a. combined 4th place finish.
No3 – Neymar Jr
Neymar Jr retains his 3rd place overall when it comes to combined followings.
The Brazilian’s 218+ million Instagram followers and 90+ million Facebook followers earns him a grand total of 308+ million following at the time of writing. A solid bronze medal effort.
No2 – Lionel Messi
A bit of quick maths would tell you that Lionel Messi’s 2nd place finish on this list was never in any danger.
The Argentine’s 497+ million Instagram faithful and 111+ million Facebook following brings his grand total to a whopping 608+ million followers.
No1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Yes, we know you already knew this one, but here it is anyway!
Cristiano Ronaldo topped both the Instagram and Facebook followings list, and is the most followed footballer on the planet across all platforms.
His 617+ million Instagram followers, combined with his 156+ million Facebook followers bring the Portuguese striker’s grand total to an insane 773+ million followers, crowing him the king of football social media.
His ridiculous following actually makes Ronaldo the most followed celebrity on the planet, so he was never in any danger of losing his No1 spot on this list!
So there we have it, a countdown of the most followed active footballers on social media worldwide!
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