Ranking the 10 most influential figures in world football currently 

#4 Marcus Rashford MBE | Manchester United, Activist

Mural Of Marcus Rashford Defaced In Manchester After Euros Loss

At just 23 years of age, Marcus Rashford is currently playing at the highest level of football with Manchester United and England. But it isn't his performances on the pitch that have put him on this list. Off the pitch, his campaign and activism against homelessness, racism, and child hunger took a global turn.

The Covid-19 lockdown in the UK, saw the end of the free meals that many children got as their main source of nutrition for the day. Rashford actively provided full support, especially on social media, and the initiative raised over £20 million. Since then, he has continued to advocate openly in his attempts to tackle child hunger and poverty.

The star was notably appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire a year ago, and ever since, he has continued to drive his initiatives forward.

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#3 Nasser Al-Khelaifi | President & CEO, Paris Saint-Germain

Lionel Messi - Presentation at Paris Saint-Germain

This Qatari businessman might be running things at the helm of the Parisian giants, but his influence is far-reaching. Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the chairman of beIN media group, Qatar Sports Investments, and Qatar Tennis Federation, respectively.

Al-Khelaifi had an important role to play in bringing superstars to the club, starting with players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In more recent years, the businessman has overseen the signings of world-class players like Neymar, Lionel Messi, Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

In areas of controversy, the PSG chairman has certainly had more than his fair share. Constant legal battles in Switzerland since 2017 have had Al-Khelaifi embroiled with the courts.

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#2 Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Arguably the best footballer in the world, and Barcelona's all-time top goalscorer, Lionel Messi, broke the internet when Barca announced that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer. Eventually, after an emotional farewell to the club and the fans, Messi started his new chapter in Paris Saint-Germain.

Throughout much of his career, Messi has been actively involved in charitable cases and efforts. Serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010, Messi has gone on to start off his own foundation, as well as invest in youth clubs in Argentina.

Messi might be as humble and reserved as they come, but the maestro is loved worldwide. His accolades have been well documented over the years, and much of his marketing brand has been focused on his talents, skills, and gameplay. Messi is the second-most recognized player globally, behind only the Portuguese maestro,

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United

Manchester United vs Everton - Premier League

The Red Devils' world-class marksman has a massive influence that exceeds the world of sport and pushes him into pure celebrity status. Notably the most marketable and famous athlete in the world, he is the first footballer to earn $1 billion in his career. He also happens to be the most popular and most-followed figure on social media, with a total of 500 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Often depicted as arrogant in comparison to Lionel Messi's humility, much of Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful influence on social media comes from his extroverted nature. His fans, however, will argue that Ronaldo isn't arrogant but driven and determined to succeed constantly.

A few months ago, his controversial act of removing two Coca-Cola bottles from his press conference table notably saw the company lose £2.8 billion in market value. He's likely not the first athlete to publicly react negatively to soft drinks, but his powerful influence was enough to cause a widespread stir after the incident.