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In modern times, football has naturally taken to the ever-growing influence of social media platforms like Facebook. Every major club and player now has a separate PR team, solely dedicated to improving their online persona. And leading conglomerates like Facebook have been the major flag bearers of this ongoing change.
Clubs with the most followers on Facebook
No football side has a bigger social media following than 34-time La Liga champions Real Madrid. Subsequently, they also lead the race on Facebook with more than 111 Million followers. Their Clasico rivals Barcelona come in a close second with 103 Million likes on their official Facebook page.
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The online duopoly of the two Spanish giants has reigned for ages and is expected to continue for many years to come. Manchester United are the closest threat to Real Madrid and Barcelona, with fans in excess of 74 Million letting their support known on Facebook. Bayern Munich, Chelsea and PSG comfortably trail the aforementioned European giants on the said platform.
However, with elevating commercialisation and leading brands targeting individual sports personalities rather than clubs, footballers have amassed a colossal reach on the internet. So much so that certain players have a much bigger and more dedicated fanbase on social media. On that note, let's take a look at the seven players with the most followers on Facebook:
#7 Kaka - 40.1 Million
The last person to have won the Ballon d'Or before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi established their duopoly, Ricardo Kaka is a true legend of the game. The 39-year-old retired professional boasts a following of 40.1 million on Facebook.
Kaka is one of the few professionals to have hung up his boots with minimal haters. His humble personality and magisterial presence on the pitch made him extremely popular among fans all across the globe.
Widely known for his time at AC Milan, the Brazilian midfielder did experience a significant dip in form after a big-money move to Real Madrid. Regardless, he is still fondly remembered by the football fraternity.
#6 Karim Benzema - 40.8 Million
Karim Benzema has started the season in blazing form, accumulating an unfathomable tally of 10 goals and seven assists in just 10 games. It seems that the reliable striker has upped his level even further at the ripe old age of 33.
Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, Benzema assumed the role of Real Madrid's leading man and has been absolutely sensational since. The talismanic figure has racked up a whopping 97 goals during the time.
Impressed by his consistent performances upfront, Didier Deschamps recalled him to the national setup, giving him his first French cap in over five years this summer. Understandably, Madrid's No.9 has a huge fanbase on Facebook with 40.8 million.
#5 Ronaldinho - 52 Million
Another retired player on the list, Ronaldinho's dribbling, is just as famous as that of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Having mentored the latter during his Barcelona days, the Brazilian has as many as 52 million fans on his Facebook page.
An absolute footballing maestro, the talented midfielder has been a role model for many budding youngsters throughout the years. Videos of him dismantling opposition defenses with numerous flicks and tricks have inspired many.
Despite his obvious talent, Ronaldinho lacked the longevity that many other legends possessed before him. He exited Europe at the early age of 31, departing AC Milan in 2011. Nevertheless, his legacy will always remain unparalleled.
Also read: 5 players PSG should sell in 2022
#4 David Beckham - 55 Million
Having retired from the game eight years earlier, David Beckham is still massively relevant, with 55 million fans currently following him on Facebook. Arguably the most marketable footballer of his generation, the Englishman is a proper superstar and a genius footballer.
The attacking midfielder had prosperous spells with two of the biggest clubs in Europe during his peak years, turning out for Manchester United and Real Madrid between 1993-2007.
Such is his popularity that the name 'Beckham' is known by almost everyone on the planet, irrespective of their take towards football. Despite his unprecedented fame, the 46-year-old Englishman is extremely polite and friendly towards his fans.
#3 Neymar - 87 Million
Neymar's controversial decision to leave Barcelona for PSG in 2017 has gone on to completely restructure the beautiful game. Since then, the Brazilian's brand has expanded exponentially, with fans acknowledging his influence all across the globe.
With such a lasting on-field as well as off-field presence, Neymar has successfully accumulated a whopping 87 million fans on Facebook alone. The PSG No.10 exudes a very flamboyant personality that may be off-putting for some but is absolutely adored by his fans.
The flashy dribbler also has the numbers to back his extravagant skills, with 142 goals and assists in just 123 appearances for the Parisians. A certified star on and off the pitch indeed.
#2 Lionel Messi - 104 million
Lionel Messi was recently reunited with his former teammate Neymar following an unexpected free transfer from Barcelona to PSG. However, the Argentine is comfortably ahead of his friend in terms of social media influence, with 104 million fans on his official Facebook page.
Considered to be one of the best footballers ever to have laced a pair of boots, Lionel Messi is truly a generational talent. The 34-year-old has a gargantuan career tally of 673 goals and 301 assists in his 16-year-long club career.
La Pulga, as he is affectionately called, is the proud holder of numerous footballing records. Having won the Ballon d'Or a record six times, Lionel Messi is on track to add a seventh one to his name.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - 150 Million
Who else but Cristiano Ronaldo to top a list regarding the leading Facebook personalities? The Portuguese superstar is the most followed footballer on Facebook, with 150 million fans attached to his page at the time of writing.
In fact, he only trails Samsung on the said platform and is subsequently the most followed individual on Facebook. Furthermore, Ronaldo also boasts the most followers on all of Instagram, with a massive fanbase of 352 million there.
The legendary striker recently switched clubs, initiating a dramatic homecoming to Manchester United at the age of 36. Notably, he has experienced a fiery start to his second stint in England, with five goals already in six games for the club. With his footballing legacy and a dedicated fan base, Cristiano Ronaldo is easily one of the most influential personalities on the planet.
Also read: 5 Barcelona players with the most Instagram followers
