Footballers Who Are Bigger on Social Media Than Their Talent Deserves
Social media is a growing aspect of the modern-day football personality, an online representation of our sporting idols both professionally and on a more intimate level.
Some overextend their reach on the cyber platforms, though, and have achieved followings on sites such as Facebook and Twitter far greater than that which their talent might suggest.
Playing quality is in some way attributable to online success; Cristiano Ronaldo is by far the most popular social media football star, boasting a Twitter presence with more than 30 million followers, the most of any professional player.
Whether it's due to past success, providing better content off the pitch than on it or because of the company they keep in their personal lives, some players are simply more natural on social media than they are footballers.
1. Ryan Babel
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Twitter Handle: @Ryanbabel
Followers: 1.09 million
It seems in the world of the professional footballer, comedy can still reign king, as Ryan Babel can thank most of his social media presence to an unfussy sense of humour.
The ex-Dutch international clearly has his eyes set on what's to come after his playing days, too—as his career has declined over the years, his online commentary has only gotten more and more frequent.
So involved is the Kasimpasa attacker through sites such as Twitter that he now regularly posts links and updates to his personal website RyanBabel.com, where he regularly gives updates on such matters as sports and music.
Willing to be more open than your average professional, the former Liverpool forward might consider the online forums as being an avenue for greater success in the years to come.
2. Glen Johnson
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Twitter Handle: @glen_johnson
Followers: 1.09 million
At this stage, even Glen Johnson will be well aware of the susceptible figure some see him as in Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool line-up, his reputation having diminished somewhat since moving from Portsmouth.
Earlier in October, Paddy Power was happy to point out his Champions League mismatch up against Real Madrid's Ronaldo:
"The worry is for Liverpool, that Glen Johnson is playing right back.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 22, 2014"
However, the right-back is evidently a hit on social media and has more than one million followers tracking his every tweet. That's the what; the why is another matter entirely.
Up-and-coming successor Javier Manquillo can only hope his new Anfield connections give him the means to develop a similar online fandom.
3. Fernando Torres
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Twitter Handle: @Torres
Followers: 2.43 million
Four years ago, such a loyal group of disciples wouldn't have seemed out of place when attached to Fernando Torres' name, but a Twitter following of almost 2.5 million considering the Spaniard's current vein of form is out of place.
In truth, that vein of form has lasted for near enough the majority of Torres' stay as a Chelsea player, which will celebrate its four-year anniversary on the upcoming 2015 January transfer window deadline.
Torres does dabble in modelling, so one can only assume the striker hasn't lost many among the drooling female masses he's picked up as support throughout his career.
However, if Ronaldo is the template for linking quality to one's deserved online profile, Torres is definitely stealing those fans from somewhere.
4. Joey Barton
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Twitter Handle: @Joey7Barton
Followers: 2.75 million
Never one to miss out on the chance to comment on public matters, no matter how little he's urged to, Joey Barton would appear fervently eager to set up a post-career stint in punditry.
Such is the loyalty Barton pays to his Twitter followers, regularly updating those legions on his opinions, whether that be in relation to football, politics or any other topic he sees fit to comment upon.
The Queens Park Rangers midfielder hasn't seen a lot of first-team action in Harry Redknapp's ranks this season, but his standing off the field isn't as easy to ignore.
5. Emmanuel Frimpong
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Twitter Handle: @IAMFRIMPONG26
Followers: 766,000
From serial Arsenal loanee to a short spell with Barnsley to Russia's top flight, the past 18 months of Emmanuel Frimpong's career have been far from his most glittering.
There was a time when the north London native was seen as a potential star in Arsene Wenger's line-up, but a mix of controversies both online and in person made for difficult times at the Emirates Stadium.
That being said, the ex-Gunners badboy and younger cousin of grime artist Lethal Bizzle doesn't appear to have learned many lessons in regards to the dangers of being vocal on social media.
Now at Russian side FC Ufa, Frimpong flares up as frequently as ever on platforms such as Twitter, so while his career prospects aren't currently at their brightest, his networking ability certainly is.
6. Alex De Souza
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Twitter Handle: @Alex10combr
Followers: 1.96 million
Brazilian players and ex-footballers are among the most followed figures in the sport, but among the likes of Neymar, Kaka, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, Alex de Souza strikes as something of an anomaly.
There's no doubting that in his prime, the former Fenerbahce playmaker was one of the most revered players in his position, but it would be fair to suggest that was when applications such as Twitter were still in their infancy.
Somehow, though, Alex has enjoyed a post-prime boom in support, with fans from across the globe clearly hoping to keep tabs on the 37-year-old's current activity.
Now with childhood club Coritiba, the ex-Brazil international may be just as popular online as he once was in person around the turn of the century.
7. Mario Balotelli
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Twitter Handle: @FinallyMario
Followers: 3.28 million
Having taken a long time to join the cyber craze, Mario Balotelli has taken little time in amassing an online presence to rival some of the biggest in football.
His Twitter account has grown to be a huge hit, racking up more than 3 million followers in a little under 18 months, but that pales in comparison to his Facebook fandom, boasting almost 10 million faithful supporters.
And who wouldn't want to be kept in the loop by the controversial Italian, a player who always has the potential for comedy in his personal life. Unfortunately, his on-pitch performance has held similar prospects of late.
Since moving to Liverpool, the striker's form in front of goal has gone from bad to worse, and while his attitude makes him a constant source of entertainment, any forward of less reputation would assuredly be criticised with more scrutiny.
8. Stuart Holden
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Twitter Handle: @stuholden
Followers: 408,000
In fairness to the injury-ravaged midfielder, Stuart Holden has had as much time as any to grow his social media presence in recent years, having failed to put together any consistent strain of fitness since 2011.
Bolton Wanderers have remained faithful to their frustrated United States international, who has made just six league appearances in the past three-and-a-half years.
Harsh though it might be, a lack of on-pitch production of late is nevertheless reason to doubt his social media following, which is undoubtedly benefited by the fortune of his American compatriots.
9. Landon Donovan
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Twitter Handle: @landondonovan
Followers: 1.1 million
Another American whose standing with the United States has assuredly helped his star grow online, Landon Donovan may not be as celebrated a figure were it not for his country of birth.
With a combined Facebook and Twitter following of just over two million, the LA Galaxy forward isn't quite on a par with compatriots Alex Morgan or Hope Solo, though one might suspect gender plays a role in that battle.
Major League Soccer and the USMNT knows all too well what a talent they have on their hands. However, had Donovan spent more time in Europe, rather than several short, forgettable stints in Germany and England, his quality might be found wanting.
10. Luis Fabiano
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Twitter Handle: @luis_fabuloso
Followers: 1.86 million
Another example of South America paying slightly undeserved credit to a figure whose rap sheet does not call for it, Luis Fabiano may well benefit from being in his prime upon joining the social network.
Luis "Fabuloso," as the former Selecao striker dubs his Twitter handle, joined the tweeting platform in 2009 when his Sevilla star was still on the rise and his Brazil career very much alive.
Since then, however, Fabiano has moved back to former club Sao Paulo, and despite thriving in the Brasilerio Serie A once again, it's confusing as to why his mass following puts him alongside the big wigs of football's social community.
11. Diego Forlan
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Twitter Handle: @DiegoForlan7
Followers: 4.38 million
When one considers the entire population of Uruguay in 2013 was a little less than 3.5 million, it's amazing to think Diego Forlan is capable of picking up a Twitter following of one million more than that number.
The failed former Manchester United striker has been around the block, however, and since rising to prominence in Spain, has lined up in Italy with Inter, in Brazil with Internacional and in Japan with Cerezo Osaka.
That globetrotting has undoubtedly aided the ex-Atletico Madrid star in establishing his social media persona somewhat, but being placed just outside the top-10 most followed online footballers is nonetheless confounding.
12. Juan Pablo Angel
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Twitter Handle: @JUANPABLOANGEL
Followers: 611,000
Once upon a time, Aston Villa fans looked upon Juan Pablo Angel as an infuriating frontman, one who was capable of the spectacular at times but never quite broke into that elite bracket.
Eventually, Angel would come to find success in the United States, turning out for New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, but even then the forward's talent was never truly great.
Moving to Major League Soccer would appear to have done the Colombian's fame no harm, and a reduce in opposition quality perhaps gives Angel a more amicable reputation as a result, which his online presence would suggest.
13. Gerard Pique
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Twitter Handle: @3gerardpique
Followers: 9.66 million
Being married to Colombian pop sensation Shakira is bound to grant one several social benefits, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the music industry, with Gerard Pique showing us how it's done.
The Barcelona defender is by all means a star in his own right, featuring at one of Europe's biggest outfits in Barcelona and winning multiple major international titles with Spain.
That being said, Pique's following on Twitter of almost 10 million, combined with a Facebook following of more than 16 million, pitches him as the most popular defender on social media.
Again, if we were to correlate these findings with success, it would suggest Pique is the best centre-back in the world. That, he is not.
14. Wayne Rooney
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Twitter Handle: @WayneRooney
Followers: 10.1 million
The 10 million or so users that keep up to date with Wayne Rooney's goings-on is nothing compared with the 25 million fans he boasts on Facebook, accounting for a net reach of more than 35 million people.
Rooney is a constant source of conversation in terms of overall ability, the Manchester United man being weighed up against the likes of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in terms of pay grade, but does his talent actually compare?
One would be tempted to say no, and his production in recent years hasn't been enough to lead the Red Devils out of their post-Sir Alex Ferguson dirge.
15. Darren Bent
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Twitter Handle: @DarrenBent
Followers: 566,000
Had he continued along a trajectory that once looked as though it could lead him to the front of England's strike force, Darren Bent may well be deserving of his online support, and yet even half a million Twitter followers seems flattering now.
Since moving to Aston Villa in January 2011, it's all been downhill for the 30-year-old, who now sits firmly on Paul Lambert's fringes with no valid sign of improvement in sight.
When one considers Brazil legend Ronaldo has only 87,000 followers, it almost seems unfair that Bent boasts more than six times that amount, as he certainly isn't six times the player.
16. Sebastian Coates
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Twitter Handle: @SebastianCoates
Followers: 493,000
Somehow, Sebastian Coates has weaved his way into becoming one of the most followed football faces on Twitter, and while his army of 500,000 isn't enough to challenge the online titans, it's nevertheless far beyond his reach.
There was a wave of excitement at Anfield in what to expect of the Uruguayan centre-back upon his 2011 arrival, having just been named Young Player of the Tournament at that year's Copa America.
Now on loan at Sunderland, the Merseyside following he's gained may be inclined to click the "unfollow" button depending on how the next eight months or so of his career pan out.
17. Lukas Podolski
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Twitter Handle: @Podolski10
Followers: 2.25 million
Far from the prominence of his time at Cologne, Lukas Podolski's time at Arsenal has been a frustrating one for periods, a time in his career spliced between first-team stardom and long stints on the bench.
His 2014 World Cup was much the same, and while the former Bayern Munich bit-part star has a winners' medal to his name, again it's come through cameo roles.
However, Podolski's social media gathering has been amassed due in part to his humorous musings on the Arsenal-Tottenham rivalry, as well as other comedic input.
18. Jozy Altidore
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Twitter Handle: @JozyAltidore
Followers: 853,000
If Donovan's global following might leave some heads scratching, support for Jozy Altidore's social media presence perhaps is more justifiable given his advanced efforts to conquer Europe.
The former AZ Alkmaar player showed in the Netherlands what a prolific asset he can be, but once again the Premier League might prove unbeatable for the United States striker, now struggling to establish any consistency at Sunderland.
Again, American audiences might argue what a strong, athletic character Altidore can be, but he sits as another example of one who benefits greatly from his background when it comes to online representation.
19. Ashley Cole
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Twitter Handle: @TheRealAC3
Followers: 2.5 million
Once justified as being in the argument for greatest left-back in Europe, Ashley Cole is currently seeing out his days with Roma, by no means a significant step down since departing Chelsea over the summer.
However, even in his prime, 2.5 million Twitter followers seems a bit much for one of numerous Chelsea alumni who appears to thrive off controversy, Cole courting much of it throughout the course of his career.
At 33 years of age, one might expect Cole to mature and ignore the chance for public comment when they arise in future. Then again, he might not.
20. Lucas Leiva
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Twitter Handle: @LucasLeiva87
Followers: 1.62 million
Our last example of samba fever apparently gone mad is the love that South America's armies appear to show for Lucas Leiva, another national figure by no means deserving of such a titanic online fandom.
On Twitter alone, the sometimes Selecao anchor has more than 1.5 million followers, and another 300,000 have jumped aboard his Instagram.
They're big numbers for a player who's spent a large portion of the last three years either recovering from recurring knee injuries or shunted out of the Liverpool XI by superior midfield talent.
Even at his best, Lucas was hardly a world-class option, but his social media supporters would have one think otherwise.
