Ronaldo stretches lead over Messi in Top 10 Most-Followed Footballers in the World (2024)

Check out the incredible list of the Top 10 most-followed footballers in the world with no African making the cut.

Football is arguably the world's most popular sport.

The beautiful round leather game has produced numerous superstars that have seen their names transcend the boundaries of the pitch to become global icons.

 In the 21st century, Social media has been highly pivotal in connecting fans with their favorite football players, allowing them to stay updated on their lives, insights, and of course, their on-field exploits. 

In this article, Pulse Sports will reveal the top 10 most followed footballers on social media platforms, showcasing their immense popularity across the globe.

Revealed: Top 10 Most Followed Footballers in the World 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo — 949.8 million followers

Age: 39 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Portuguese

Category: Most Followed/Richest Footballers/Highest Paid Footballers/Highest Paid Athletes

Team: Al Nassr 

Instagram: 636M followers | X: 112.6M followers | Facebook: 170M followers | TikTok: None | YouTube: 31.2M subscribers

It’s certainly no shocker that Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list with his ridiculous following of more than half a billion across various social media platforms. 

For starters, Ronaldo is the most influential sportsman in the world, the no.1 most followed footballer in the world, no.1 most followed athlete in the world, no.1 most followed human being on the Instagram platform, no.1 most followed footballer on Facebook, no.1 most followed footballer on the X platform formerly known as Twitter.

We’re pretty sure he would easily steal the top spot should he open a TikTok account.

Influential is almost an understatement at this point.

Ronaldo’s charisma and skill on the field, combined with his active online presence, has made him a global icon.

He is the highest-paid footballer and athlete in the world in 2024, having already won five Ballon d’Ors.

2. Lionel Messi — 622.6 million followers

Age: 37 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Argentine

Category: Most Followed/Richest Footballers/Highest Paid Footballers/Highest-Paid Athletes

Team: Inter Miami 

Instagram: 504M followers | X: None | Facebook: 116M followers | TikTok: None | YouTube: 2.66M subscribers

Lionel Messi, often regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, has an immense fan base worldwide. 

His transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain only increased his social media popularity.

Messi’s numbers on social media have also continued to grow following his summer switch to MLS franchise club Inter Miami.

The 2022 World Cup champion might be no match for his Portuguese counterpart Ronaldo, but he remains the second most followed athlete in the world and holds the record for the most Ballon d’Ors (8).

3. Neymar Jr. — 416 million followers

Age: 32 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Brazilian

Category: Most Followed/Richest Footballers/Highest Paid Footballers/Highest Paid Athletes

Team: Al Hilal

Instagram: 224M followers | X: 63.7M followers | Facebook: 91M  followers | TikTok: 32.7M followers | YouTube: 4.6M subscribers

Neymar's flashy style on and off the field has attracted a massive following on social media. 

He is the third most-followed footballer in the world in 2023, with an incredible following of more than 370 million across major social media platforms.

The talented Brazilian is known for sharing glimpses of his life, fashion, and football skills.

Neymar is also one of the most marketable footballers of his generation as well as one of the richest Brazilian footballers in history.

As of 2024, he is the second footballer with the most subscribers on YouTube, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo.

4. Ronaldinho — 173.9 million followers

Age: 44 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Brazilian

Category: Most Followed

Team: Retired

Instagram: 76.7M followers | X: 21.5M followers | Facebook: 56M  followers | TikTok: 19.1M followers | YouTube: 690,000 subscribers

Even after retirement, Ronaldinho remains immensely popular. His joyful personality and legendary status ensure a significant online presence.

Ronaldinho remains one of the most technically gifted footballers of all time, having been notorious for his incredible skills, tricks and flicks.

He is one of the few Brazilians to win the Ballon d’Or award and no doubt, one of the most influential footballers in world football.

5. Karim Benzema — 143.1 million followers

Age: 36 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: French

Category: Most Followed/Highest Paid Footballers/Highest Paid Athletes

Team: Al Ittihad

Instagram: 76.5M followers | X: 21.1M followers | Facebook: 45M followers | TikTok: None | YouTube: 570,000 subscribers

Karim Benzema is a highly accomplished French professional footballer known for his prolific goal-scoring ability. 

He has spent the majority of his career at Real Madrid, where he has won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League trophies.

The current Ballon d’Or holder is renowned for his exceptional skill, versatility, and his integral role in Real Madrid's success over the years.

Now plying his trade in the Middle East, Big Benz is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world and the most-followed French athlete on social media.

6. Kylian Mbappé — 152.4 million followers

Age: 25 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: French

Category: Most Followed/Richest Footballers/Highest Paid Footballers

Team: Paris Saint Germain

Instagram: 121M followers | X: 14.4M followers | Facebook: 17M followers | TikTok: None

Kylian Mbappé is a French professional footballer known for his extraordinary speed and skill on the pitch, making him one of the brightest young talents in the sport.

He rose to prominence at Paris Saint-Germain before becoming a crucial part of the French national team, helping them win the 2018 FIFA World Cup, before helping tjem nearly defend their world crown four years later.

Mbappé's combination of blistering pace, technical prowess, and scoring ability has made him a highly sought-after player and a true sensation in the world of football.

Mbappe has been widely considered as the natural heir to fill the gap expected to be left by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in years to come.

7. David Beckham — 146.3 million followers

Age: 49 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: English

Category: Most Followed/Richest Footballers

Team: Inter Miami (Co-owner)

Instagram: 88.3M followers | X: None | Facebook: 58M followers | TikTok: None

David Beckham is a retired English footballer renowned for his exceptional skills, particularly in delivering precise free kicks and dangerous crosses. 

Beyond his football career, Beckham has since become a global style icon, and one of the most marketable athletes of all time.

Beckham is also involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors, contributing to his image as both a sports legend and a humanitarian.

An influential figure on and off the pitch, the Inter Miami co-owner is widely regarded as one of the richest footballers in the world with a net worth estimated to be $450 million.

8. Sergio Ramos — 141.7 million followers

Age: 38 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Spanish

Category: Most Followed

Team: Sevilla F.C

Instagram: 63.9M followers | X: 20.3M followers | Facebook: 38M followers | TikTok: 18.9M followers | YouTube: 170,000 subscribers

Sergio Ramos is a highly accomplished Spanish footballer known for his exceptional defensive skills and leadership on the pitch.

 He spent the majority of his club career with Real Madrid, where he became an iconic captain, winning numerous domestic and international titles.

 With his strong presence, charisma, and ability to score crucial goals, Ramos is considered one of the greatest defenders of his generation and is one of the most followed footballers in the world in 2023.

 9. Marcelo Vieira — 123.8 million followers

Age: 36 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Brazilian

Category: Most Followed

Team: Fluminense

Instagram: 67.9M followers | X: 13M followers | Facebook: 28M followers | TikTok: 13.7M followers | YouTube: 1.21M subscribers

 Marcelo is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Fluminense.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time, he is known for his offensive capabilities, trickery, and technical qualities.

Marcelo spent most of his career with Spanish club Real Madrid and is one of the club's most decorated player, with 25 trophies won.

Marcelo is known for his infectious enthusiasm on and off the field, which resonates with his online followers.

Having returned to his home country to see out his career, Marcelo remains one of the greatest Real Madrid defenders of all time.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimović — 123.6 million followers

Age: 43 years old (as of August 2024)

Nationality: Swedish

Category: Most Followed/Richest Footballers

Team: Retired

Instagram: 64.5M followers | X: 9.4M followers | Facebook: 39M followers | TikTok: 11M followers | YouTube: None

Zlatan Ibrahimović, known for his bold statements and impressive footballing skills, continues to attract a dedicated following.

The iconic Swede called time on his remarkable career in June 2023, having played his last game for Serie A club AC Milan.

Ibrahimovic had scored over 570 goals in his professional career, and is arguably the most influential Swedish athlete in the world.

METHODOLOGY

The Pulse Sports ranking of the world’s most followed footballers represents the combined total of followers across major social media platforms. The figures are derived through publicly available databases from Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.