Sports Stars with Massive
Social Media Followings
The world of sport is absolutely huge. It has expanded so much further beyond what happens on the pitch or in the arena. Sports stars from all over the world have become some of the biggest celebrities in the world. This is largely due to their high profile and the sheer amount of funding within their sports. These sports stars are often used by major companies to promote products and brands, which only adds to their riches.
Sports fans from all over the world love to watch their favorite players compete and perform. It is often one of the most important factors for getting involved in a sport. Many fans go on to pursue careers in the sports world. One of the most popular options for this is a sports journalist. Becoming a sports journalist is one of the best journeys you can go on in your life. If you love sports, it is definitely a great option for you.
A major part of being a sports star in the modern day is running a successful social media account. This is part of the role of being such an influencer in the modern day. Businesses will look at these accounts with millions of followers and see it is an opportunity to attract some eyes to their company. When fans see their favorite athletes promoting such products, they are far more likely to trust and believe in them. The influential power that these sports stars have truly is quite astonishing. But who has the most influence? Here are some of the sports stars who have a huge social media following.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The most-followed Instagram account in the world belongs to Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. You really would have to be living under a rock to not know who this man is. He is in the debate for the greatest football of all time and is still scoring countless goals in his late 30s. As of October 2021, he has a massive 355 million Instagram followers. Cristiano gains most of his followers due to his luxurious lifestyle as well as his incredible work ethic. He truly has become one of the biggest celebrities in the world as well as perhaps the most recognizable sports star. He is also one of the most decorated footballers in the world with a series of club, international, and individual trophies.
Lionel Messi
It is often hard to mention Cristiano Ronaldo without having Lionel Messi’s name pop up somewhere in the same conversation. The two have been in a fierce rivalry for years as they have displayed their top level of skill on a consistent basis. Although not considered quite the celebrity as his Portuguese counterpart, Messi has a loyal fanbase. His 274 million Instagram followers is still impressive, to say the least. His popularity grows on a yearly basis as he continues to perform extremely well for both club and country.
Neymar
The world’s most expensive football player has made quite the name for himself. At a young age, he was used to being the center of attention. One of the best young talents in the world, he was purchased from Santos in Brazil by European giants Barcelona. From here, he quickly became a household name. He has become a hero of both Brazil and his current club Paris Saint Germain. Neymar has also shown on his Instagram that he lives quite the luxurious lifestyle. Frequently pictured with other celebrities, he truly is one of the biggest faces in the world of sport. His Instagram has a following of 162 million followers. The Brazilian’s social status also helped him land a cameo role in the hit TV series Money Heist.
Virat Kohli
For many people living in the West, Virat Kohli may not exactly be a household name. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t extremely popular. He is an Indian cricket player and hosts a massive social media following. He has 160 million Instagram followers, making him one of the most popular sports stars on the social media platform.
LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the biggest names in the history of sport. He will without a doubt go down as one of the greatest basketball players to ever do it. James currently represents the LA Lakers, where he continues to impress at the age of 36. He has a huge influence over the sporting world, being one of the most marketable athletes of all time. He currently has 100 million people following his Instagram account.
David Beckham
When it comes to sophisticated football players, there are few that fit the category better than David Beckham. The former England superstar really showcased what it was like to be both an athlete and a celebrity. His stellar career saw him perform for the likes of Manchester United, PSG, and Real Madrid. His brand has grown even more since retirement, and he has become quite the international businessman. His Instagram following is currently 69 million strong.
Ronaldinho
Hailed by many as one of the most skillful football players to ever grace the planet, Ronaldinho is a true icon of the sport. It was his periods at Barcelona and AC Milan that really let the world know just how good he is. Ronaldinho was awarded the Ballon D’or in 2005. His popularity is evident in his Instagram following as he has just under 60 million followers.
Kylian Mbappe
The world’s next superstar is a popular man. Since a young age, Kylian Mbappe has had the pressure of the world on his shoulders. From the moment he signed for PSG, people have considered him one of the world’s best football players. Despite this pressure, he has risen to the occasion several times for both club and country. The Frenchman is 22, but he has 59.8 million Instagram fans.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
For anyone who is a football fan, there is a good chance they know plenty about Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Despite being 40 years old, he still continues to score plenty of goals for Italian giants AC Milan. The Swedish superstar is notorious for his humorous comments and flashy lifestyle. These are contributing factors to the reason he has over 50 million Instagram followers.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale really burst onto the scene in his Tottenham Hotspur days. The winger was hailed as one of the best in the world at the time, earning himself a big money move to Real Madrid. Although his form has dipped in recent years, Gareth Bale is still one of the most popular football players around. The Welshman has 45 million Instagram followers and is one of the biggest celebrities in the sport.
Marcelo
For football fans, there are very few left backs to have ever existed who come up to Marcelo’s level. The Brazilian is one of the best full backs of all time, playing at a high standard at Real Madrid for years. He is a character both on and off the pitch, which has contributed to his massive social media following of 49.4 million on Instagram.
Paul Pogba
Dances, hairstyles, and a good footballing ability are what Paul Pogba is all about. The World Cup winner is one of the most popular footballers in the modern day. He is even considered to be a marketing investment for any team who signs him, due to his massive social media presence. The midfielder is humorous and likable, which has helped him gain such a loyal fanbase. Being very popular with the younger generation, Pogba has racked up over 49 million Instagram followers on his account.
Sergio Ramos
Perhaps the greatest defender of all time, Sergio Ramos has really won it all. The World Cup, the European Championship, the Champions League, he is a serial winner. His no-nonsense play style has made him quite the fan favorite in the footballing world. The Spaniard posts on Instagram to 48.2 million people.
Mohamed Salah
Since his arrival at Liverpool Mohamed Salah has been one of the best talents on the planet. Winning both the Champions League and Premier League, he has been a key part of Liverpool’s recent success. The Egyptian is on his way to being considered one of the best African players of all time, gaining huge popularity during that time. His Instagram account currently has 44.3 million followers.
Paulo Dybala
Although Paulo Dybala hasn’t quite reached the levels of play people thought he would, the Argentine still has many years ahead of him. Still a top player, he has created quite the fanbase for himself. He currently has 44.3 million Instagram followers.
Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor is the most popular combat sports athlete on the planet right now. The MMA superstar really elevated the sport through his antics and humor. His wealth, lifestyle, and personality have made him one of the biggest stars in the sports world, not to mention he was the highest-paid athlete of 2020. The Irishman currently has 42.5 million Instagram followers to his name.
