Cristiano Ronaldo and the Most Popular Footballers on Social Media
On the same day that he scored a last-gasp winner for Portugal in their Euro 2016 qualifier with Denmark, Cristiano Ronaldo added yet another record to his astonishing career. The Portuguese superstar became the first athlete to reach and surpass 100 million likes on Facebook, affirming his status as the most popular sportsman of the internet age (his 30.5 million Twitter followers also dwarf any of his contemporaries).
In honour of Cristiano's online landmark, here's the top 10 footballers on social media, ranked by combined Facebook likes and Twitter followers.
10. Luis Suarez
1 of 10
Facebook likes: 10.3 million
Twitter followers: 3.9 million
Total: 14.2 million
Luis Suarez's Borat-style thumbs-up pose leads a social media presence that reaches over 14 million fans worldwide.
The Barcelona star's Facebook and Twitter accounts have been a useful vehicle for him to fiercely deny/apologise for his various indiscretions, but he also shares plenty of personal photos and videos.
Well, it's not like he's got much else on his plate right now.
9. David Villa
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Facebook likes: 15.8 million
Twitter followers: N/A
Total: 15.8 million
Spanish striker David Villa is one of many athletes on this list who do not have an official Twitter account. The New York City FC star—on loan at Melbourne City—is the 16th most popular athlete on Facebook with nearly 16 million likes, edging out the likes of Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and the man who comes next on this countdown...
8. Gerard Pique
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Facebook likes: 15.8 million
Twitter followers: 9.6 million
Total: 25.4 million
Gerard Pique engages with fans via his thoughts on matches, personal photos and the occasional picnic update. He also offers a glimpse into his private life with pop star partner Shakira.
The Barcelona star is wise to align himself with the Colombian songstress with truth-telling hips, as she is the second most popular person on social media on the planet, with 132 million combined follows (as per fanpagelist.com).
7. Andres Iniesta
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Facebook likes: 22.9 million
Twitter followers: 9.7 million
Total: 32.6 million
Andres Iniesta is the highest ranked player on social media who communicates almost exclusively in Spanish. Sometimes, however, the Barcelona star expands his appeal by providing translations in English and in Arabic script.
In August, his Twitter fan base of nearly 10 million heard him scream like a lady while doing the Ice Bucket Challenge.
6. Mesut Ozil
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Facebook likes: 26.4 million
Twitter followers: 8.1 million
Total: 34.5 million
Mesut Ozil may not be too popular with certain fellow professionals and former cohabitants right now, but the Arsenal star is the 10th most popular athlete on Facebook with over 26 million fans.
5. Ronaldinho
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Facebook likes: 27.9 million
Twitter followers: 10.9 million
Total: 38.8 million
Ronaldinho may be in the autumn of his career, but this hasn't affected his social media popularity. The Brazilian star—currently playing in Mexico with Queretaro—is a fairly active Twitter user, while his Facebook page tends to focus on commercial duties.
A recent video of the former Barcelona superstar blasting footballs at people running across a swimming pool earned 174,000 Facebook likes.
4. Kaka
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Facebook likes: 31.9 million
Twitter followers: 21.1 million
Total: 53 million
Did you wonder why Kaka was brought back into the Brazilian national team fold for their recent friendly with Argentina in Beijing? It's probably more to do with his tremendous global appeal than his future with the Selecao.
The 32-year-old is the second-most popular athlete on Twitter and his Facebook numbers are teetering on 32 million—a little lower than wrestling stars John Cena (33.5 million) and The Rock (42 million). How depressing.
3. Neymar
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Facebook likes: 47.8 million
Twitter followers: 14.8 million
Total: 62.6 million
Neymar's inability to go a few minutes without taking a selfie has served him well on Twitter, garnering nearly 15 million followers.
The Barcelona star tends to use his Facebook page for more commercial reasons, but he (or his team) certainly make a concerted effort to post different content to each network.
2. Lionel Messi
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Facebook likes: 74 million
Twitter followers: N/A
Total: 74 million
Leo Messi is the second most popular athlete on Facebook, but the Argentinian does not have an active Twitter account, hence his overall social numbers are dwarfed by his Portuguese counterpart Cristiano.
The Barcelona talisman needs to open a Twitter account and start posting some Richard Keys Banter Vines if he wants to compete.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
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Facebook likes: 100.1 million
Twitter followers: 30.5 million
Total: 130.6 million
Cristiano Ronaldo broke 100 million likes on Facebook this week, confirming his status as the most popular athlete on social media—both Facebook and Twitter.
He is the second most popular person on Facebook (only the aforementioned Shakira has more likes) and the 13th most popular Twitter user (as per fanpagelist.com).
Just to rub it in, it's also worth mentioning that he is also very talented, rich and good looking.
