?Social media has become a big part of people’s lives over the past decade, with fans constantly scanning their mobile phones to see what their favourite celebrities are doing.
One of the biggest platforms is Instagram, where athletes regularly post pictures and videos of themselves in action. So, who attracts the biggest fanbase?
90min has the answer. Here is a list of the 30 athletes whose accounts currently have the largest following, via ?Trackalytics
30. David Luiz
Total Followers: 19,369,493
The ?Arsenal defender just makes the cut. Having played for some of the biggest clubs across Europe such as Chelsea and PSG, Luiz ?has become a popular figure in the sport along the way.
Handle: ?@davidluiz_4
29. Mesut Ozil
Total Followers: 21,751,259
Next up is another Arsenal player. The World Cup winner divides opinion among fans, with some bemoaning his lack of consistency. Yet he remains a classy playmaker at his best and his willingness to voice his opinion off the ?pitch has ensured that fans have remained loyal to him.
Handle: ?@m10_official
28. Philippe Coutinho
Total Followers: 22,106,482
Coutinho has featured in four of the ‘big five’ leagues in Europe and currently plies his trade at ?Bayern Munich. After a difficult time at ?Barcelona, the midfielder has shown glimpses of his best form since moving to Germany.
Handle: ?@phil.coutinho
27. Floyd Mayweather
?Total Followers: 23,021,352
Mayweather was involved in some of the biggest fights in history during the 2010s, taking on the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor. He finished his career with a perfect record of 50-0 but has claimed he will make a return to the ring in 2020, which is likely to increase his following even further.?
Handle: ?@floydmayweather
26. Toni Kroos
Total Followers: 23,312,616
Kroos has already had an illustrious career, playing for Bayern Munich and ?Real Madrid, also winning the World Cup with Germany. Having only just turned 30 he is likely to run the midfield in the Spanish capital for a few more seasons yet.
Handle: ?@toni.kr8s
25. Zinedine Zidane
Total Followers: 24,558,522
One of the best to ever grace the sport, Zidane has transitioned into a fine manager at Real Madrid. The Frenchman won three Champions League titles during his first spell in charge, and returned to the helm last year in an attempt to halt Barcelona’s recent domestic dominance.
Handle: ?@zidane
?24. Eden Hazard
Total Followers: 26,632,142
Hazard swapped London for Madrid last summer as he finally got his move to his dream club. The Belgian winger endured a tough start to life in Spain, but has shown in recent games that he is beginning to settle and is ready to replicate the form that saw him shine at Chelsea.
Handle: ?@hazardeden_10
23. Stephen Curry
Total Followers: 28,781,339
Curry has become a household name in recent years following his success with the Golden State Warriors. The Ohio-born point guard has won three NBA Championships and been named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice.
Handle: ?@stephencurry30
22. Antoine Griezmann
Total Followers: 29,764,505
The French forward made the controversial move from Atletico Madrid
21. Dani Alves
Total Followers: 30,384,281
Alves established himself as one of the finest full backs of the modern era during his days at Barcelona, Juventus and PSG. Now back in his homeland of Brazil with Sao Paulo, Alves still attracts plenty of attention on his social media platforms.
Handle: ?@danialves
20. Karim Benzema
Total Followers: 32,298,897
Benzema moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and remains the club’s undisputed first choice striker. With Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus in 2018, Benzema has maintained his remarkable consistency in front of goal, producing some eye-catching displays.
Handle: ?@karimbenzema
19. Andres Iniesta
Total Followers: 33,144,790
The diminutive midfielder was a vital part of a golden era for Barcelona and Spain. With four Champions Leagues, two European Championships and a World Cup to his name, Iniesta’s place in history is already sealed. Now playing in Japan with Vissel Kobe, he won another piece of silverware recently, helping the side to the 2019 Emperor’s Cup.
Handle: ?@andresiniesta8
18. Conor McGregor
Total Followers: 35,006,267
The Irish southpaw shot to fame in the UFC, becoming a two-weight world champion with the company. He showed his cross-over appeal by competing in a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Despite losing that fight, McGregor’s popularity has only increased, making him the most followed combat sports star on the list.
Handle: ?@thenotoriousmma
17. Paulo Dybala
Total Followers: 35,913,771
Dybala had a difficult 2018/19 season, struggling to cement his spot in the Juventus side under Massimiliano Allegri. However, following the arrival of Maurizio Sarri, he has returned to his best form, showing why he is still one of the most talented players in European football today.
Handle: ?@paulodybala
16. Mohamed Salah
Total Followers: 36,147,373
Having arrived on Merseyside in 2017, Salah has become a key cog in Liverpool’s seemingly unstoppable machine. He scored the opening goal in their Champions League final win against Tottenham in 2019 ?and looks set to earn his first Premier League winner’s medal in May.
Handle: ?@mosalah
15. Sergio Ramos
Total Followers: 37,064,008
Perhaps a player opposition fans can’t stand but one that Real Madrid supporters have come to adore. Los Blancos’ captain is a four-time Champions League winner, also claiming two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup to secure his status as one of the best centre backs of his generation.
Handle: ?@sergioramos
14. Luis Suarez
Total Followers: 37,203,869
Another player who is not universally popular, yet fans can’t seem to take their eyes off him. Suarez rose to prominence with Liverpool, almost guiding them to the Premier League title in 2014. A big-money move to Barcelona followed and he has since established himself as one of the most lethal strikers across Europe.
Handle: ?@luissuarez9
13. Kylian Mbappe
Total Followers: 38,304,837
It is amazing to think that Mbappe is still only 21 years of age. He has already won a World Cup, along with three French titles. His potential is scary, but being on the same team as him probably makes the forward a little less scary.
Handle: ?@k.mbappe
12. Paul Pogba
Total Followers: 39,148,166
Pogba has received criticism in recent years over his social media presence, but there is no doubting that he has a loyal set of supporters. A World Cup winner, the 26-year-old also won four Italian titles with Juventus between 2012 and 2016.
Handle: ?@paulpogba
11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Total Followers: 41,166,667
Never one to keep his opinions to himself, it is no surprise that Ibrahimovic features on this list. He is a very talented player and he wants to make sure that you know it. Now back at Milan, the Swedish forward remains a quality operator.
Handle: ?@iamzlatanibrahimovic
10. Gareth Bale
Total Followers: 42,935,675
The Welsh winger has had a mixed time at Real Madrid, winning four Champions Leagues in among a number of frustrating injury setbacks. Bale is now into his seventh season at the club and is still trying to win over Zinedine Zidane, having struggled to become a regular.
Handle: ?@garethbale11
9. Marcelo
Total Followers: 43,657,119
?The Brazilian left back often gives the impression that he does not take himself too seriously and that has attracted a high number of admiring fans. He has been at Real Madrid since 2007, and he is still successfully fighting off competition for his place at the age of 31.
Handle: ?@marcelotwelve
8. James Rodriguez
Total Followers: 44,916,685
Rodriguez achieved worldwide fame at the 2014 World Cup when he won the Golden Boot. A move to Real Madrid
7. Virat Kohli
Total Followers: 48,671,763
One of the best batsmen of the modern era, Kohli is worshipped in his homeland. Following in the footsteps of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli is a joy to watch with the bat in his hands, using skill and power to consistently lead his country to victory.
Handle: ?@virat.kohli
6. Ronaldinho
Total Followers: 51,011,124
A truly remarkable player. Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, scoring a famous free-kick against England in the quarter-finals, before going on to dazzle at Barcelona. Widely recognised as the best player in the world during the mid 2000s, the retired superstar is still adored by football fans all over the world.
Handle: ?@ronaldinho
5. LeBron James
Total Followers: 58,029,804
Into the top five, and we have our highest-placed non-footballer. Of course it is the man affectionately known as ‘The King’. James has won three NBA Championships, two Olympic gold medals and four Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards during his glittering career.
Handle: ?@kingjames
4. David Beckham
Total Followers: 60,576,055
He may have retired back in 2013, but fans still can’t seem to get enough of David Beckham. The 44-year-old established himself as one of the finest crossers of the ball while at Manchester United and Real Madrid, also winning 115 caps for England, making him the third most-capped male player in the country’s history.
Handle: ?@davidbeckham
3. Neymar
Total Followers: 132,646,774
Neymar makes the top three having starred for both Barcelona
2. Lionel Messi
Total Followers: 141,937,702
Messi has to settle for second place on this occasion. Arguably the greatest player to ever lace a pair of boots, the Argentine forward has lit up our screens for well over a decade. A six-time Ballon d’Or winner, there is very little that he has not achieved in the game already and he has shown no signs of slowing down just yet.
Handle: ?@leomessi
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Total Followers: 200,347,435
The Ronaldo-Messi debate is one that will wrangle on for years to come, ?but for this particularly list Ronaldo wins handily. The Portuguese star has won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, as well as five Champions Leagues. He is also just one goal short of 100 goals for Portugal, making him one of the true greats of the game.
Handle: ?@cristiano
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